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PROCEEDINGS 


mmiE  c-opiTi 


Assembled  at  Angnsta,  JannaryJOth,  1866. 

CONTAINING  THE 

SPEECHES  OF  GEN'L  TILLSON,  CAPT.  J.  E.  BRYANT, 

AND  OTHERS. 


Publislied  toy  Order  of  tlie  Conveiitioii. 


PHINTED  AT  THE  OFFICE  OF  THE  LOYAL  GEORGIAN, 

(Corner  .'ackson     Ellis  Streets,) 
AUQUSTA,  OA. 


(^352  PR 


• 

Persuant  to  a  published  notice,  the  delerrates  from  several  counties 
convened  at  Springfield  colored  Baptist  Church,  Augusta,  G-a.,  Jan. 
1 0  th,  1866. 

The  hour  having  arrived  for  the  orojanization  of  the  convention, 
the  house  was  called  to  ord-er  by  Rev.  Wm.  J.  White,  of  Richmond 
county,  whereupon,  he  nominated  James  Porter,  of  Savannah,  for 
temporary  Chairman,  who  upon  taking  the  chair,  made  a  few  ap- 
propriate remarks,  after  which,  R  A  Harper,  of  Augusta,  was  re** 
quested  to  act  as  Secretary.  Chaplain  H  M  Turner,  by  request  of 
the  Chairman  then  offered  prayer. 

On  motion,  the  convention  resolved  to  invite  General  Tillson,  and 
the  Mayor  of  the  city  to  attend  the  convention  at  any  time  they 
could  make  it  convenient,  ana  that,  Whereas,  Captain  J  E  Bryant, 
Lawyer  Aaron  A  Bradly,  an>d  Chaplain  H  M  Turner,  were  in  the 
house,  and  they  being  on  duty  in  the  State,  be  requested  to  partici- 
pate in  the  proceedings  of  the  convention. 

Mr.  Bradly  remarked  that  he  was  nt  home  any  how  That  he 
received  his  christian  education  in  this  Church,  though  he  had  been 
away  thirty-four  years,  but  he  should  be  pleased  to  assist  his  fellow 
citizens. 

Chaplain  Turner  said  he  was  well  known  in  Georgia,  ho  was  a 
South  Carolinian  by  birth,  but  had  preached  all  through  Georgia, 
many  years  ago,  and  he  was  at  home  really,  but  he  thanked  them  for 
their  courtesy. 

On  motion,  a  committee  of  five  were  appointed  to  examine  the 
credentials  of  the  delegates,  provided  the  Chairman  examined  theirs 
first,  C  L  Delemotta,  R  L  Kent,  K  E  Rucker,  Henry  Strickland, 
M  Davis,  were  appointed. 

On  motion,  the  various  Ministers  of  the  city  were  invited  to  take 
seats  in  the  convention,  and  have  the  privilege  of  speaking,  but  not  to 
vote.  A  few  others  who  accompanied  the  delegates  from  various 
counties  were  admited  to  the  same  courtesy,  the  several  delegates 
then  went  before  the  committee  on  credentials,  who  examined  ail  their 
papers,  after  which  the  committee  on  the  same,  reported  as  follows. 

We,  your  committee  appointed  to  examine  the  credentials  of  the 


f 


4 

several  delegates,  heg  leave  to  report  the  following  arrivals  which  we 
leara  will  be  greatly  enlarged  this  evenintj',  and  to-morrow.  Rich- 
inoud  county.  Willia'iL  J  White,  R  A  Harper,  H  L  Kent,  Lewis  B 
Carter,  Samuel  Drayton;  Chatham  county,  James  Porter,  U  L 
Houston,  C  L  Delemotta,  David  Waters,  L  B  Toomer;  Bibb  coun- 
ty, Lewis  Smith,  W  D  Banks ;  G-reeno  county,  Valautine  Thomas, 
Charles  Morton,  Lbrahara  Colsby;  Cobb  county,  Henry  Strickland, 
E  Ruckner;  Wilkes  county,  Lewis  Williams,  Henry  Nelson,  S  W 
Sherman ;  Fulton  <3ounty,  Frank  Quarles,  James  Tate,  Joseph  Wood, 
Andrew  Jackson,  Isaac  Calhoun;  Ciarke  county,  William  Finch,  J 
AVilliams,  Madison  Davis,  Daniel  Brady;  Morgan  county,  Edraond 
Johnson,  Richard  Jones,  Shadrick  McAlster;  Warren  county,  Wil- 
liam Harris;  Muscove  county  Jerry  Buckner,  Henry  Thomas,  J 
Holbrock,  Thomas  Rhodes,  H  Benton.  Several  others  appeared 
without  credential,  which  the  committee  left  for  the  convention  to 
dispose  off,  as  they  deemed  l>est,  which  subject  was  laid  over  for  after 
consideration. 

A  resolution  then  prevailed  offered  by  Rev.  U  L  Houston,  of 
Savannah,  that  a  committee  of  nine  be  appointed  to  nominate  officers 
for  permanent  organizations.  Carter,  of  Richmond,  Toomer,  of 
Chatham,  Williams,  ot  Clark,  Martin,  of  Greene,  Quarles,  of  Fulton, 
Kucker,  of  Cobb,  Williams,  of  Wilkes,  Jones,  of  Morgan,  Smith  of 
Bibb,  were  appointed.  During  the  absence  of  the  comiiuttee,  Rev. 
U  L  Houston  addressed  the  convention  on  such  s'.ibjects  as  be  thought 
required  their  special  attention,  and  was  applauded  while  specking. 
He  was  followed  by  Jackson  of  Fulton,  and  Finch  of  Clark.  •  The 
remarks  of  the  gentlemen  were  well  timed,  and  were  often  broken  by 
the  cheers  of  the  audience.  .They  said,  we  had  not  come  to  hold  a 
Secession  convention,  nor  to  throw  off  tli^ir  loyalty  to  the  general 
Government,  or  to  their  native  State,  neither  was  it  their  intention 
to  kill  or  hurt  any  one,  but  as  free  men,  we  have  met  to  a^k  for  free 
laws,  we  mean  to  seek  justice  for  all  men  irrespective  of  color,  or 
condition.  The  laws  which  now  govern  us,  were  oppressive  and 
cruel,  we  want  them  changed. 

The  committee  on  Nomination  having  returned,  reported  the  fol- 
lowing names  :  For  President^  James  Porter, /br  Vice  Presidents^ 
the  Chairman  of  each  county  delegation, /o''-  Secretary^  R  A  Harper, 
for  As&istant  Secretary,  L  B  Toomer,  which  was  adopted,  and  the 
several  ofiicers  took  their  positions. 

The  Chairman  said  ho  thanked  the  convention  for  the  honor  they 
had  conferred  upon  him,  and  asked  their  assistance  in  the  manage^ 
ment  of  the  affiirs  of  the  convention,  Mr.  Bradly  moved  that  Cush* 
iug's  Manuel  be  the  rules  which  should  irovern  the  deliberations  of 
the  conventicn, 

Mr.  Turner  oppo.sed  it  upon  the  ground  that  the  colored  people 
were  unaccustomed  to  conventions^  and  thought  a  few  simple  rules 
would  be  preferable. 

C]aite  a  discus.^ion  took  place  nnon  the  subject,  till  .tinali} ,  a  ccm^- 


5 


tnitiee  was  appointed  to  draft  sucli  rules  as  was  thought  bestadapt^" 
ed  to  the  occasion.  The  committee  consisted  of  Chaplain  Turner, 
Kevs  Finch,  Kent,  Wliite,  and  Delemotta,  who,  after  a  short  ab^ 
sence,  reiliraed  and  reported  the  following  which  was  unanimously 
adopted : 

.RULES  OF  THE  CONVENTION. 

1.  This  convention  shall  bold  one  regular  session  each  day,  coni- 
mencing  at  9|-  o'clock  a  m,  and  adjourn  at      o'clock  p  m. 

2.  Oue-third  of  the  members  shall  constitute  a  quorum  for  the 
transaction  of  business. 

3  No  member  shall  leave  the  convention  without  permission  of 
the  President,  and  no  member  shall  be  recognized,  or  his  motion  re« 
ceived  before  the  convention,  unless  he  is  within  the  bounds  of  the 
convention. 

^^4.  No  member  shall  be  recognized  on  the  floor  unless  he  rises  to 
his  feet,  and  first  address  the  President,  and  shall  not  be  allowed  to 
speak  more  than  twice  upon  the  same  subject  without  permission  of 
the  convention. 

5.  No  member  shall  speak  over  tcE  minutes  at  one  time,  without 
special  consent  of  the  house,  and  all  personal  allusions  must  be  avoided; 

6  No  member  shall  give  the  lie,  or  use  any  inflammatory  language 
within  the  bar  of  the  convention. 

7.  Each  session  shall  be  opened  with  religious  services  by  one  who 
shall  be  selected  as  Chaplain  of  the  convention. 

8.  One  Marshall  and  two  Assistants  shall  be  appointed  to  seat 
persons,  arid  be  obedient  to  the  orders  of  the  President,  in  thegov^ 
ernment  of  the  convention.  • 

9.  No  resolution  shall  be  entertained  unless  it  is  seconded  by  an- 
other member,  and  not  discussed  till  stated  by  the  Chair. 

10.  When  two  members  claim  the  floor  at  once,  the  Chairman 
shall  decide  the  one  in  order,  nor  shall  he  be  interrupted  without 
another  member  rises  to  a  poiat  of  order,  which  privilege  shall  be 
granted  only  through  the  judgment  of  the  Chairman. 

11.  The  President  shall  appoint  all  committees  not  otherwise 
provided  for  by  the  convention. 

12.  The  votes  shall  be  taken  by  the  yeas  and  nays,  unless  a  rising 
vote  is  called  for.  * 

13.  All  distirguished  guests  shall  be  introduced  to  the  President,' 
and  the  President  shall  introduce  them  to  the  house,  who  shall  re- 
ceive them  by  a  rising  acknowledgement. 

14.  No  whispering  or  muttering  calculated  to  interrupt  the  quiet 
of  the  house  shall  be  allowed. 

15.  In  all  cases  where  the  above  rules  do  not  meet  the  caiSe  at 
issue,  the  Chairman  may  appeal  to  Cushing's  Manuel,'  which  shall  be 
recognized. 

On  motiot),  Rev  Henry  Watts  was  elected  Chaplaia  of  the  con- 
TcntioD. 


6 


On  motion,  S  W  Sherman  was  elected  Marshal,  with  F  Pearce^ 
and  II  Washington,  for  assistance. 

A  resolution  then  prevailed,  that  a  committee  consisti^  of  the 
Chairman  of  each  county  delegation,  be  appointed  to  efieci  a  plan 
for  the  State  organization,  which  will  have  its  Headquajters  at  some 
designated  place,  and  every  county  in  the  State  be  a  branch  of  the 
main  body.  Tnat  each  county  have  one  Vice  President,  and  as 
many  assistant  Vice  Presidents  as  the  Societies  might  rctpire.  The 
committee  being  appointed. 

On  motion,  a  committee  was  appointed  to  prepare  a  memorial  to 
the  Legislature  of  Georgia 

C)u, motion,  a  committee  was  appointed  to  report  on  the  condition 
of  the  colorei  people  throu|Thout  the  State. 

On  motion,  a  committee  was  appointed  to  draw  up  such  resolutions 
as  would  express  the  sense  of  the  convention  to  the  country. 

On  motion,  a  provisional  committee  was  appointed  to  attend  to 
situating  the  delegates  from  a  distance. 

The  convention  then  adjourned  by  ordering  the  rules  read  each 
morning  after  the  reading  of  the  minutes. 


PEOCEEDINGS  OF  THE  SECOND  DAY,  Jan.  11th,  1866, 

Persuant  to  adjournment  the  convention  assembled  at  9^  a  m, 
President  Porter  in  the  Chair.  Prayer  by  Chaplain  Watts,  roll 
called,  minutes  read  and  approved.  After  reading  the  rules,  several 
laore  delegates,  who  had  arrived  were  reported  by  the  committee  on 
credentials. 

Chaplain  Turner  moved  that  the  third  column  of  the  Church  be 
the  bounds  of  the  convention.  Lawyer  Bradly  moved  the  fourth 
column.  Captain  Bryant  ammended  to  include  the  entire  Church. 
Bev  Carter,  Houston  and  Finch,  all  t.ook  part  in  the  discussion  for 
a  while,  but  the  motion  lor  the  fourth  column  prevailed. 

The  committee  on  invitation  were  called  upon  to  report,  but  not 
being  prepared,  R,  T  Kent  moved  they  be  discharged.  Aft®j  some 
debate,  S  W  Beard,  Moses  Gardener,  and  Jonas  Sinjileton,  were  ap- 
pointed, and  ordered  forthv/ith  to  xnvise  General  Tillsou,  Mayor 
May,  the  Aldermen,  &c. 

The  committee  on  permanent  organization  through  the  State  were 
called  upon,  who  reported,  which  report  was  adopted  by  a  unanimous 
vote. 

The  report  of  this  committee  will  be  found  at  the  end  of  the 
Proceedings. 

Rev.  Mr.  Edos,  of  Boston,  being  present,  was  introduced  to  the 
onvention,  and,  I  y  request,  spoke  at  some  length.  He  cautioned 
the  convention  on  several  points;  advised  them  to  speak  out  their 
ffiiad  with  respect  and  courtesy  to  ad  men  ;  he  said  he  had  ever 


7 


been  their  friend,  and  would  be  so,  as  long  as  ke  cherished  the 
same  opinion  of  them  as  a  race  which  he  does  now. 

At  the  conclusion  of  the  gentleman's  remarks,  the  Committee  on 
Invitations  reported  that  they  had  fulfilled  their  mission  and  that  the 
gentlemen  invited,  expressed  their  sincere  th  nks  for  the  honor  con* 
ferred  upon  them,  and  that  they  would  take  great  pleasure  in  complying 
with  the  request  of  the  Convention. 

On  motion  a  committee  was  appointed  to  report  the  sense  of  the 
convention  on  education  ;  committee  appointed  was  James  Porter,  S 
W  Beard,  Rev  R  T  Kent, 

Messrs  Toomer  and  Turner  read  some  resolutions,  the  reading  of 
which  before  the  convention,  was  opposed  by  Mr.  Bradly  and  Dele- 
motta,  which  was  referred  to  the  committee  on  Resolutions. 

On  motion,  Messrs  Kent,  Drayton  and  Waters  were  appointed  a 
committee  ^;©  report  the  sense  of  the  convention  on  the  death  of  the 
Hon.  Henry  Winter  Davis, 

The  convention  re  assembled  in  the  afternoon  to  hear  a  speech  from 
General  Davis  Tillson,  Assistant  Commissioner  of  the  Freedmen's 
Bureau,  which  able,  eloquent,  and  masterly^handled  speech,  we  take 
great  pleasure  in  laying  before  the  public.  It  is  almost  needless  to 
say  it  elicited  protracted  applause.  The  General  having  been  intro^ 
duced  to  the  conventionj  rose  and  spoke  as  follows  : 

Mr.  Chairman: 

I  gladly  accept  the  invitation  to  speak  before  the  Convention  of 
the  freedpeople  of  Georgia.  Let  me  begin  by  congratulating  you 
with  the  bright  and  happy  prospects  with  which  the  Xcw  Year  opens. 
Christmas  week  has  passed,  and  the  dreaded  and  much  talked  of  insur- 
rection of  which  you  never  dreamed  has  not  come.  You  have  given 
still  another  proof  that  you  cannot,  as  a  race,  be  even  goaded  to  acts 
of  violence  and  murder,  that  as  in  the  days  of  the  ri^bellion,  wh-  n  the 
wives  and  children  of  your  foj  mer,  and  in  some  instances,  doubtless, 
cruel  masters,  were  in  your  safe  keeping,  you  are  the  same,  kind, 
gentle,  trusting  people,  putting  far  from  you  all  the  suggestior  s  of 
hatred  and  revenge,  patiently  waiting  for  the  hand  of  the  Lord 
to  bring  your  (feliverance,  and  looking  to  him  to  avenge  your  wrongs. 
In  this  respect  you  have  a  history,  and  a  record,  unsurpassed  in  the 
annals  of  the  human  race.  Slowly  as  justice  has  come  to  you;  tardily 
as  has  been  the  recognition  of  your  merit,  with  how  much  pleasure 
do  I  notice,  that  finally  the  public  press  of  the  country  is  teeming 
with  praise  of  your  good  and  noble  conduct.  Every  whera  about  me, 
I  hear  the  white  people  speak  of  you,  not  only  in  terms  of  kindness, 
but  of  gratitude. 

Side  by  side  with  us,  you  fought  beneath  that  banner,  which  con- 
quers but  to  bring  security  and  peace,  and  under  whose  folds,  thank 
Heaven,  no  slave  shall  hereafter  stand. 

The  past  is  bright  and  secure.    The  future  with  its  destiny  and 


8 


its  duties  is  before  us,  and  of  these,  I  particularly  wisli  to  speak  to' 
you.' 

It  is  of  the  utmost  importaLce  that  you  should  have  clear  and 
distinct  ideas  of  the  rights  secured  to  you  by  the  Proclamation  of  the 
President  of  the  United  States,  the  laws  of  Congres?,  and  the  suc- 
cess of  our  arms. 

1st.  I'ou  are  f^ee,  and  f re''  for  ever.  No  mortal  power  can  thrust 
you  or  your  decendants  back  into  slavery.  You  can  never  again  be 
bought  or  sold ;  the  slave  pen  and  the  auction  block  are  things  of  the 
past. 

2(1.  All  you  can  earn  is  your  own,  you  have  the  same  right  with  all 
other  men  to  accumulate,  liold,  and  enjoy  property;  the  right  to  be 
as  rich  as  you  can  make  yourselves  by  yourcwn  energy,  industry,  and 
economy. 

3d.  You  have  the  right  to  protection  for  your  person  an§  property, 
and  to  testify  in  Court  in  all  cases  in  which  freed  people  are  parties 
interested. 

4th.  You  have  t?io  right  to  education,  the  right  to  cultivate  and  ex- 
pand all  the  powers  of  body  or  of  mind,  which  have  been  given  to 
you  and  to  receive,  and  exercised  that  power  which  knowledge  con- 
fers. There  are  some  rights  and  priviliges,  as  for  instance  the  right 
of  suflerage,  and  to  serv^  as  jurors,  that  have  not  yet  been  conferred 
upon  you. 

As  the  servant  of  the  Government  simply.  I  rnay  with  propriety 
perhaps  make  known  to  you  the  purposes  of  the  Government,  so  far 
as  they  have  been  declared,  beyond  this,  doubtless  it  becomes  me  to 
speak  with  caution  and  modesty,  but  as  1  perceive  that  the  question 
of  the  right  of  sufferage  is  being  agitated  among  you,  *  I  will  not 
shrink  from  saying,  that,  wiiile  it  must  be  evident  to  all  thinking 
men,  that  mere  difference  of  color  is  no  sufficient  reason  for  withhold- 
ing this  right,  that  want  of  education  and  capacity  to  exercise  wisely 
this  high  prerogative,  is  doubtless  ample  and  just  reason  for  withhold-* 
ing  it.  I  know  it  may  be  said  that  no  such  distinction  is  made 
among  white  men,  but  that  both  ignorant  and  vicious  whites  are  Hi- 
lowed  to  vote.  I  admit  it,  and  at  tlie  same  time  call  attention  to  the 
fiiCt  that  when  any  considerable  number  of  such  persons  are  allowed 
to  vote,  as  in  large  cities,  the  liiischievous  consequences  prave  con- 
clusively that  they  ought  to  be  deprived  of  a  privilige  which  they 
only  abuse,  and  make  higiily  injurious  to  society.  I  mention  this 
somewhat  delicate  subject  to  all  your  attention  to  this  fact  that 
whether  or  not  you  shall  ever  enjoy  these  high  priviliges  most  likely 
depends  largely  upon  yourselves — not  so  much  upon  your  asking  for 
them  to  which  there  can  however  be  no  objection,  especially  if  done 
in  the  respectful  and  modest  way  which  characterizes  your  petition — as 
your  making  yourselves  "competent  and  worthy  to  exercise  them. 
Doubtless  some  of  your  number  might  safely  be  clothed  with  these 
rights  now,  but  I  thhik  you  will  agree  with  me  that  the  great  mass 
of  your  people  have  need  to  make  use  of  the  opportunities  of  edu-ca> 


tion— -now  for  the  Srst  timo  afforded  tliem^ — before  tlicy  can  with 
advanrage  to  themselves  and  s<afety  to  the  country  be  intrusted  with 
such  rights. 

With  the  ble;-sing  of  providence  your  future  is  ahiicst  wholy  in 
your  own  hands.  You  are  no  longer  chattels  but  mtn.  The  right 
already  conferred  upon  you,  opens  a  very  wide  field  for- the  exercise 
of  your  industry,  energy  and  capacity.  Show  that  as  a  people  you 
possess  these  qualities.  Continue  peaceful  and  law  abiding,  and  be- 
come useful,  prosperous,  self-reliant  citizens,  and  you  need  have  but 
little  fear  that  any  i  i^hts  will  long  be  vathheld  from  you.  With  the 
distruction  of  slavery,  all  real  cause  of  antagonism  between  the  races 
disappeared.  Sooner  or  later  this  will  become  evident.  It  will  be 
felt  and  >-e8n  that  bnth  races  must  prosper  together,  or  suffer  together, 
and  that  not  only  the  highest  wisdom,  but  the  truest  political  econo- 
my is  contained  in  the  injunstion  'to  do  unto  others  as  we  would  they 
should  do  unto  us.' 

One  of  the  first  duties  to  be  performed  in  order  that  you  may 
receive  the  greatest  benefit  from  the  rights  already  conferred  upon 
you,  is  the  cultivation  of  kindly  relations  between  yourselves  and  the 
white  people.  This  cannot  be  too  strongly  stated  or  too  often  reitera- 
ted. Nothing  could  be  so  fatal  to  your  happmess  and  prosperity  as 
a  people,  as  the  growth  of  suspicion,  hatred,  and  animosity  between 
yourselves  and  the  whites.  Let  this  become  a  fixed  condition,  and 
not  even  the  power  of  the  great  Gfovernment,  which  has  so  solemnly 
pledged  itself  to  maintain  your  freedom  and  which  it  will  certainly 
make  every  e€brt  to  protect,  can  save  you  from  suffering,  perhaps  from 
destruction.  Fortunately  there  is  little  danger  of  this  state  of  things. 
You  have  on  your  part  already  given  the  most  abundant  proofs  of 
your  willingness  to  forget  the  past  and  to  act  in  a  kind  and  concilia- 
tory spirit  in  the  future.  * 

I  cannot  tell  you  how  much  pleasure  it  gives  me  to  assure  you  that 
every  well  meaning  man,  woman  and  child  in  this  State  will  gladly 
meet  you  in  the  same  spirit.  Everywhere  the  educated,  refined,  and 
responsible  people  nre  your  friends,  they  recognize  your  good  qualities, 
they  praise  your  good  conduct,  and  speak  with  gratitude  of  your 
fidelity  in  the  past,  they  are  willing  to  aid  and  countenance  any  eflfort 
for  your  education,  improvcn:ent  and  elevation.  And  here  let  me  sa.y 
that  I  think  you  are  fortunate  in  being  residents  of  this  State  which 
so  far 'lis  she  has  taken  any  action  relating  to  your  people,  has  acted 
kindly  and  wisely :  First,  the  Constitutional  convention  gave  to  the 
Chief  of  the  Freedmeu's  Bureau  the  right  to  select  certain  civil 
ofiicers  or  other  suitable  citizens  of  this  State  as  Agents  of  the  Bureau. 
It  was  fully  understood  that  only  high  minded,  honorable  men — who 
had  sufficient  manly  pride  and  courage  to  disregard  the  prejudice  of 
the  people  and  do  justice  to  all  men  irrespective  ot  condition  or  color — 
should  be  selected  as  Agents  of  the  Bureau,  and  that  failing  to  do 
this  duty,  they  would  be  removed  and  others  appointed  in  their  stead. 
I  urged  upon  the  members  of  the  convention  that  men  should  be 


10 


selected  and  nominated  to  rac  for  appointment  in  whom  the  intelligent 
freed  people  had  confidence.  In  every  instance  when  possible  I  have 
consulted  your  people  as  to  the  persons  selected  as  Agents.  The 
plan  has  not  been  long  enough  in  operation  to  pronounce  with  safety 
as  to  the  result,  but  so  far  as  I  am  informed  I  am  glad  to  be  able  to 
say  that  the  "Agents  appointed  are  acting  in  good  faith,  lu  some 
cases  I  know  that  they  are  doing  it  at  the  expense  of  their  populari^ 
ty  with  their  own  pef^ple. 

The  Legislature  of  the  State  has  enacted  a  law  which  allows 
colored  people  to  testify  in  Court,  in  all  cases,  in  which  they  are 
parties  interested.  It  is  true  that  when  white  men  alone  are  parties 
interested,  your  testimony  is  qot  admitted,  but  in  this  you  have  little 
or  no  interest,  it  is  an  act  of  injustice  to  the  whites  alone,  and  makes 
it  possible  for  one  white  man  to  kill  another  in  the  presence  of  any 
number  of  respectable  colored  persons,  and  yet  escape  conviction. 
It  is  to  be  hoped  that  the  glaring  absurdity  of  such  a  distinction  will 
work  its  own  cure.  Further,  the  proposed  new  system  of  laws,  which 
have  been  prepared  for  the  State,  relating  largely  to  the  freed  people 
is  far  more  just  and  liberal  than  those  adopted  in  some  other  States, 
All  this  exhibits  in  a  strong  light  the  kindly  disposition  toward  you 
of  the  higher  and  better  class  of  white  citizens.  I  know  you  may 
say  this  would  be  very  pleasant  if  it  was  only  true.  You  may  think 
I  have  been  deceived  and  misled  by  the  smooth  words  and  fair  prom- 
ises made  by  the  white  people  and  that  I  am  ignorant  or  forgetful  of 
the  numerous  wrongs  practiced  upon  your  race,  and  which  you  may 
perhaps  have  felt  in  your  own  persons.  But  in  this  you  are  mistaken.  I 
am  in  a  position  where  I  necessnarily  hear  and  know  more  of  the  acts 
and  intentions  of  the  white  people  towards  you  than  any  citizen  of  the 
State,  from  many  parts  of  which  I  am  constantly  hearing  reports  of 
outrages  and  murders.  Do  I  not  know  that,  merely  because  an  in- 
surrection was  anticipated  some  of  your  people  were  tortured  to  make 
them  tell  that  of  which  they  knew  nothing,  because  it  had  no  exis- 
tence ;  that  in  one  instance  at  least  a  colored  man  was  killed  because 
he  belonged  to  a  secret  benevolent  organization,  that  many  others 
were  arrested,  and  that  the  authors  of  this  outrage  have  nothing 
better  to  oflfer  as  an  excuse  than  their  own  cowardly,  perhaps  guilty 
fearb !  Almost  daily  I  am  shamed;  mortified  and  disgusted  by  hear^ 
ing  men  and  women  of  my  own  race  cursing  and  villifying  the  negro. 
But  nearly  all  these  people  belong  to  the  very  large  number  of  white 
inhabitants  of  the  State,  who  as  shown  by  the  census,  can  neither 
read  nor  write,  a  few  of  them  can  read  and  write,  they  wear  good 
clothes,  put  on  a  great  many  grand  and  foolish  airs,  and  talk  about 
their  family  and  their  blood,  let  me  tell  you  that  outside  of  the  an- 
noyance their  presence  gives  better  people,  these  persons  are  not  of 
the  slightest  earthly  account,  they  are  neither  ornamental  nor  useful. 
Unless  they  leave  off  consuming  large  quantities  of  tobacco  and 
whisky,  swearing  about  negro  equality  and  strive  earnestly  to  learn 
those  things  which  well  bred  people  know  by  instinct ;  unless  they  can 


II 


do  something  more  manly  and  womanly,  than  spend  their  time  in  try- 
ing to  it)jure  and  degrade  a  race  they  vainly  imagine  to  be  inferior  to 
themselves,  and  whose  very  ignorance,  poverty  and  want,  constitutes 
the  strongest  claim  for  kindness  at  the  hands  of  humane,  just  and 
high  minded  people,  then  the  day  is  not  far  distant,  when  by  respecta- 
ble white  people  they  will  be  regarded  as  beneath  the  negro  in  the 
social  scale.  Let  these  people  go,  they  glory  in  their  own  shame,  they 
take  pride  in  parading  their  own  hatred  and  malice,  qualities  which 
chiefly  distinguish  the  denizens  of  the  bottomless  pit  to  whose  em- 
brace they  are  hastening,  pity,  forget,  and  avoid  them  ;  bear  with  them 
patiently  as  you  do  with  all  the  other  necessary  and  unavoidable  evils 
which  surround  you  in  life. 

These  same  people  hate  and  lose  no  oppertunity  of  insulting  Yan* 
kees,  but  no  respectable  Yankee  can  stoop  to  accept  these  insults, 
especially  officers  of  the  Bureau  must  not  do  it,  for  while  they  can 
resent  and  punish  the^e  insults  with  ease  and  safety  to  themselves^ 
the  persons  punished  will  certainly  revenge  themselves  on  some  un- 
fortunate men)ber  of  your  race.  It  iz  evident  that  officers  of  the 
Bureau  can  purchase  a  cheap  popularity  with  certain  well-meaning 
newspapers  and  people  of  the  North  by  quarreling  with  the  white 
people  here,  but  they  can  only  obtain  this  popularity  at  the  expense, 
not  merely  through  the  suffering,  but  the  death  of  some  of  your  peo^ 
pie.    You  know  this,  you  have  felt  it. 

Again  I  unite  with  you  in  thanking  the  Lord,  that  you  are  ne 
longer  under  the  unrestrained  power  and  control  of  such  ignorant, 
wicked  and  brutal  people.  Such  persons  should  remember  that  Ihe 
real  ditference  among  men  is  in  the  intention  of  the  heart,  and  the 
ruling  motives  of  life,  and  not  in  the  color  of  the  skin,  and  that  in-, 
stead  of  being  superior  to  all  colored  people,  they  are  infinitily  below  a 
really  Christian  man  or  woman  of  color,  between  whom  and  themselves 
there  exist  a  gulf  wide  and  deep.  I  know  of  colored  people  in  this  * 
State  whose  lives  of  real  benevolence  and  unostentatious  charity  ex- 
cites my  highest  admiration.  I  know  of  colored  men  who  work  hard 
all  day  and  into  the  night,  and  who  give  one  third  of  all  they  earn 
to  the  support  of  the  poor  of  their  own  race,  and  this  I  learn,  not 
from  thtiir  own  lips,  but  from  those  of  their  white  neighbors.  Are 
these  men  think  you  in  the  presence  of  our  Creator  beneath  the 
uneducated,  mean  and  selfish  white  men  and  women,  who  spead  their 
time  hating  and  defaming  negroes,  I  tell  you  that  nothing  but  the 
inxhaustable  scheme  of  salvation,  and  the  transforming  power  of 
Jehovah  can  place  these  persons  on  a  level  with  the  colored  men  to  - 
whom  1  have  referred. 

Do  not  misunderstand  me,  do  not  suppose  that  T  am  advocating- 
social  equality  which  has  never  existed  among  white  people,  and  whieb 
I  by  no  means  suppose  will  ever  exist  among  colored  people.  All 
persons  white  and  black,  have  the  right  to  select  their  associates,  and 
to  live  on  terms  of  intimacy  and  social  equality  with  those  only  whom 


12 


they  may  choose,  lind. who  maj  have  like  convictiors,  feelings,  and 
tastes  with  themselves. 

But  all  this  cruel  and  detestable  conduct  on  the  part  of  white  peo^ 
pie — who  whatever  their  pretentious  or  pride,  are  still  reallv  low,  de- 
graded and  depraved — does  not  in  the  slightest  degree  disprove  or 
contradict  what  I  have  said  of  the  kind  wishes  entertained  by  the 
educated  and  responsible  people  of  the  State  toward  you.  No  truly 
good  man  or  woman  dare  look  with  hatred  and  contempt  upon  the 
humblest  human  being.  And  I  ask  you  with  the  happy  feeling  that 
my  advice  will  not  be  lost,  to  be  true  to  your  past  record,  to  be  cour- 
teous, obliging,  and  respectful  to  the  white  people,  and  to  conquer  . 
even  your  enemies  by  the  resistless  power  of  kindness. 

Wi^h  profound  satisfaction  I  announce  to  you  that  throughout  the 
State,  except  on  the  Islands  and  along  the  Coast,  contracts  for  labor 
with  your  people,  are  being  rapidly  made,  and  that  generally  good 
wages  are  paid.  When  I  came  to  the  State  to  enter  upon  my  duties, 
some  three  months  since,  1  found  that  you  wer^  receiving  from  $2 
to  $4:  per  month,  and  sometimes  as  low  as  twelve  bushels  of  corn 
for  a  year's  labor,  'njw  from  $12,  to  $15,  per  month  is  freely 
offered,  depending  upon  the  soil  and' location.  No  able  bodied  freed- 
man  in  this  State  who  is  out  of  employment,  need  work  for  a  less  sum 
than  812  per  month.  Lot  him*  come  to  me  or  go  to  any  officer  of 
the  B-reau  in  the  State  and  he  can  easily  obtain  employment  at  this 
price,  I  state  without  fear  of  contradiction  that  this  health}^,  vigor- 
ous demand  for  labor  is  in  no  small  degree,  the  result  of  the  efforts 
of  the  Freed  men's  Bureau,  and  that  it  has  only  been  reached  by  per- 
sistent, patient,  earnest  work.  At  first  there  were  almost  insur- 
mountable difficulties  in  the  way,  the  wh"te  people  many  of  whom 
had  lost  their  property  in  the  war  were  discouraged,  they  said  it  is 
useless  to  hire  the  negro,  he  will  not  work  unless  driven,  and  this 
you  Yar^ees  will  not  allow  us  to  do.  They  pointed  out  to  me  not  a 
few  exceptional  cases,  but  I  regret  to  be  compelled  to  state,  numer- 
ous instances  where  the  freed  people  had  baen  given  as  high  03  one" 
half  of  all  they  could  raise  on  a  well  stocked  plantation,  and  where 
through  idleness  and  laziness  thej  had  failed  to  raise  food  enough  to 
ia.>t  them  through  the  winter,  while  there  were  many  worthy  excep- 
tions where  your  people  have  been  industrious,  still  I  am  forced  by 
the  facts  to  admit  that  generally  the  freed  people  have  not  done  as 
well  as  they  might  easily  have  done,  and  as  i  hope  and  believe  they 
will  do  in  the  future  Of  course  under  these  circumstances  the  plan- 
ters were  disheartened,  they  said  it  is  useless  to  attempt  to  plant  as 
before,  we  will  employ  a  few  of  our  former  trusty  servants,  and  let 
the  rest  take  care  of  themselves.  They  said  we  dare  not  trust  these 
people,  rf  we  p  ant  a  crop  they  will  perhaps  work  until  hot  weather, 
or  until  they  get  tired  or  become  dissatisfied,  and  then  they  will  leave, 
go  to  some  city,  live  in  idleness  and  be  fed  by  ^he  Freedmen's  Bureau, 
On  the  other  hand,  the  freed  people  were  full  of  suspicion  of  their 
former  masters,  many  of  whom  had  taken  advantage  of  their  iguor- 


13 


ancG,  and  practice  the  most  sliamelcsis  fraud  upon  them,  and  whose 
advice  tney  feared  to  believe  or  follow,  lest  they  should  act  against 
their  own  interests.  The  question  was,  how  shall  these  difficulties  be 
removed,  and  these  conflicdDg  interests  reconciled.  Plainly,  the 
first  thing  to  do  was  to  convinse  the  planter  that  labor  could  be  made 
reliable  and  profitable,  without  this  belief  no  one  would  be  so  iooU 
ish  as  to  waste  the  little  money  he  might  have  left,  in  attempting  to 
"plant  this  year.  It  would  have  been  simple  folly  to  try  to  argue  a 
man  out  of  a  belief  in  the  facts  of  his  own  experience,  useless  to  tell 
him  the  freedmen  will  work  well,  when  he  can  say  truthfully,  I  have 
tried  them  and  they  havcnot'done  it.  It  was  evident  that  something 
must  be  done  to  restore  confidence  in  the  labor  of  the  freed  people, 
or  that  ere  long  starvation  would  stare  them  in  the  face  and  stalk 
abroad  throughout  the  State,  The  first  order  of  the  BureaU;  issued 
a  short  time  after  my  arrival,  stated  distinct  y  that  hereafter  no  able 
bodied  person,  black  or  white,  would  be  fed  bv  the  Bureau  who 
could  earn  his  or  her  own  support,  the  freed  people  were  told  they 
must  not  congregate  in  cities  and  live  in  idleness,  but  mast  go  to  the 
country  and  find  homos  and  employment.  DuriLig  the  next  month 
nearly,  or  quite* 60,000  rations  were  saved  to  the  Government  in  the 
city  of  Savannah  alone,  and  a  corresponding  amount  all  over  the 
State.  It  was  announced  in  the  orders  referred  to  and  afterwards 
before  the  Constitutional  Convention  at  Milledgville,  that  the  Govern- 
ment insisted  simply  that  the  freed  peoph  should  be  well  paid  and 
kindly  tf-eated,  and  that  when  this  was  done  the  Bureau  would  neither 
enourage  the  freed  people  to  violate  their  con<:ractr,  nor  permit  them 
^to  do  it,  that  this  was  an  abuse  of  their  freedom,  which  would  be 
injurious  to  their  employers,  and  in  the  end  ruinous  to  themselves. 
The  announcement  of  a  defiaite  policy  which  proposed  to  do  every^ 
thing  right  and  proper  not  inconsistent  with  the  freedom  of  the  color- 
ed people,  to  make  labor  reliable  and  profitable,  has  worksd  a  revolu- 
tion in  the  eonvictioos,  feelings  and  intentions  of  the  people,  white 
and  black.  To-day  both  races  are  hopeful  for  the  future.  From  the 
moment  that  the  reasonable  and  just  policy  of  the  Bareau  became 
known  and  understood,  the  prospect  began  to  brighten,  and  the  dark 
cloud  that  rested  over  the  future  of  the  State  began  to  lift.  Sensi- 
ble people  said,  well  if  the  freed  people  will  only  work  faithfully,  we 
are  all  right  yet,  we  can  atford  to  pay  them  good  wages  and  are"  will- 
ing to  do  ip.  From  the  first,  the  ellbrts  of  the^ Bureau  has  been  put 
forth  to  assist  the  freed  people  to  obtain  homes,  goodwa:|es  and  kind 
treatment.  It  was  of  coarse  felt  and  understood  that  education, 
schools  and  churches  were  very  important,  but  first  of  all  the  people 
must  have  something  to  eat,  something  to  wear,  and  shelter  for  them- 
■  selves  and  families.  If  all  this  poisistent,  determined  labor  has  been 
necessary  to^,overcomo  the  bad  efiects  produced  by  the  idleness  or 
inefficient  work  of  last  year,  how  immensely  miportant  is  it  that  the 
experience  of  this  year  shall  convince  planters  that  your  labor  is 
reliable  and  trustworthy.    The  next  pressing  duty  devolving  upon 


1'4 


officers  of  the  Bureau  is  to  leave  notbing  undone,  no  effort  unmade, 
to  induce  and  if  necessary  to  compel  the  freed  people  to  observe  their 
contracts,  to  work  cheerfally  and  faithfully,  and  thus  to  assist  the 
planters  in  realizing  the  hopes  we  have  inspired,  and  in  consequence 
of  which  good  wages  are  now  offered  the  freed  people  of  this  State, 
It  remains  for  you  to  show  that  the  efforts  of  the  Government  in 
your  behalf,  the  assurances  given  and  promises  made  for  your  good 
conduct  have  not  been  made  in  vain.    You  are  on  trial  before  the 
country;  you  are  to  demonstrate  this  year  that  the  statement  that 
you  will  not  work  for  good  wages  is  not  true,  or  you  are  to  bring 
phame  and  mortification  upon  your  friends,  and  sorrow  and  suffering 
upon  yourselves.    Let  toe  urge  upon  you  in  the  most  earnest  and 
impressive  manner,  that  as  you  separate  and  go  back  to  your  homes, 
you  teach  your  people  to  work  honesty  and  industriously  this  year ; 
to  show  the  country  that  they  can  do  more  and  better  under  the 
higher  incentives  of  freedom  than  they  ever  did  under  the  lash.  Tell 
them  that  their  future  will  be  moulded,  and  even  to  a  ]arge  extent, 
fixed  by  the  record  they  shall  make  this  year.    The  price  you  will 
be  able  to  command  for  labor  hereafter  will  depend  wholly  upon  the 
character  for  industry,  honestly  and  obedience  you  shall  establish. 
If  it  shall  be  as  we  hope  and  believe,  if  at  the  end  cf  the  year,  this 
land  shall  be  covered  with  the  abandant  fruits  of  your  toil,  then  in- 
deed will  you  be  blessed.    A  single  year  of  patient,  honest,  steady 
work  and  the  fortunes  of  your  people  are  established  forever.  You 
will  have  demonstrated  the  fact  which  will  secure  for  you  all  the 
rights  and  blessings  mankind  can  bestow.    Thenceforward  ^you  may 
receive  all  that  any  man  can  possess  or  enjoy,  and  all  doubt  disap* 
pears  of  your  future   prospects  and  success.    Remember  nothing 
worth  having  is  obtained   without  labor ;  that  education  the  most 
valuable  of  possessions C3mes  only  by  study  and  effort:  that  neither 
the  rich  nor  the  poor,  can  secure  it  in  any  other  way,  and  that  if 
your  race  are  to  rise  in  the  scale  of  civilization,  it  must  come  by 
work,  constant  patient  work,  without  which  any  people  will  sink  into 
barbarism  aad  insignificance.    Kemember  that  labor  is  imposed  not 
by  the  white  man,  but  by  your  Creator,  that  it  is  not  a  curse  but  a 
blessing  and  that  it  can  only  be  avoided  at  the  expense  of  misery 
and  degradation.    Work,  that  you  may  not  only  accumulate  property 
and  hav3  homes  of  your  own,  with  all  the  security  and  happiness 
their  possession  brings, .but  that  you  may  educate  and  elevate  your-* 
selves  and  your  children.    Work  is  the  talismanic  power  which  can 
remove  your  poverty  and  ignorance,  and  replace  them  with  wealth, 
knowledge  and  happiLess.    I  know  that  in  asking  you  to  forget  and 
forgive  the  past  and  to  become  honest,  humble  and  faithful  workers. 
I  cannot  point  you  to  an  example  in  the  past  of  my  own  race,  but 
there  is  that  in  the  history  of  yours  which  makes  me  hope  and  be- 
lieve that  the  appeal  will  not  be  in  vain,  and  that  we  are  about  to 
enter  upon  a  career  of  unsurpassed  and  unexampled  prosperity,  which 
jour  labors  will  help  to  create.     Resolve  that  you  will  become  an 


15 


industrious,  thriving,  productive  people,  adding  something  to  the 
wealth  and  power  of  mankind,  and  you  will  l3e  welcomed  as  freemen, 
not  only  by  those  among  whom  you  live,  but  by  the  world.  Do  this, 
and  sooner  or  later,  all  your  rights  as  a  people  will  be  freely  conceded 
and  fully  recngnized.  Your  advancement,  improvement  and  elevation 
will  be  bounded  and  circumscribed  only  by  the  powers  and  capacities 
your  Creator  has  bestowed  upon  you.  Continue  to  disprove  by  your 
future,  as  you  have  by  your  past,  the  evil  prophecies  made  of  you. 

You  are  about  to  take  your  place  among  the  free  people  of  the 
world.  Let  me  urge  you  by  the  highest  and  holiest  considerations 
men  can  feel,  to  do  your  whole  duty,  to  shdV  that  if  providentially 
the  blood  of  thousands  of  our  noblest  and  best  has  been  shedj  and  the 
nation  shaken  to  its  centre  that  you  might  be  free,  that  the  sacrifice 
has  not  been  made  in  vain,  but  that  it  has  ushered  forth  a  race  of 
freemen,  whose  patient,  kindly  industry,  and  consequent  prosperity 
shall  bring  a  rich  blessing  to  mankind. 


PROCEEDINGS  OF  THE  THIRD  DAY,  Jan.  12,  1866. 

Pursuant  to  adjournment  the  convention  assembled  at  9^  o'clock 
a  m,  President  Porter  ill  the  Chair;  prayer  by  Rev  F  Quarles; 
roll  called  ;  minutes  read  and  approved.  The  President  said  that 
General  Tillson,  on  the  previous  evening,  had  left  several  of  his 
General  Orders  with  him,  and  requested  they  be  submitted  to  the 
convention  for  their  examination  and  approval  or  disapproval,  and 
also  stated  that  the  General  would  be  at  the  convention  at  12  o'clock, 
and  he  desired  that  we  proceed  to  read  and  pass  judgment  on  the 
same  before  the  General  arrived.  All  business  being  suspended  for 
that  purpose,  L  B  Toomer,  of  Savannah,  was  appointed  to  carefully 
read  them.  [Several  sections  were  read  the  second  time  for  the 
benefit  of  different  members.  Before  getting  through  with  the  orders 
the  General  arrived  and  waited  till  they  were  all  read,  after  which  ho 
requested  any  delegate  who  desired  to  ask  any  question  on  his 
General  Circulars  to  do  so,  and  if  they  had  any  objections  to  any- 
thing in  them  to  speak  out,  for  he  wanted  to  know  if  his  action  met 
our  approval  or  not.  The  General  was  then  asked  questions  by  every- 
body from  all  ports  of  the  house  which  he  respectfully  answered. 
This  being  such  an  irksome  mode,  the  convention  resolved  that  the 
Chairman  of  each  county  delegation  be  the  spokesman  for  the  whole 
and  their  names  be  Ci^lled  in  order,  and  let  them  question  the  Gene- 
ral, which  was  done.  After  several  hours,  the  convention  resolved, 
to  relieve  the  General  as  they  knew  he  was  tired,  when  the  following 
resolution  passed  unanimously  through  the  convention  : 

Whereas,  This  Convention  has  heard  the  able,  eloquent  and  de« 
clarative  pledge  to  equal  justice  of  General  Davis  Tillson,  Assist- 


16 


ant  Commissioner  of  thtFreedman's  Bureau  (or  the  State  of  Georgia, 
aud 

Whereas,  The  General  ha-^;  submitted  all  his  orders  to  our  in- 
spection for  approval  or  disapproval  with  an  explainaticn  of  the  same. 

Resolved,  That  we  mcst  heartily  concur  with  his  entire  policy; 
that  all  his  orders  meet  our  most  cordial  approval,  and  that  we 
x^iW  support  the  same  in  person  and  infiaence. 

Resolved,  That  we  r'^quest  the  General  f  r  a  copy  of  his  address 
delivered  before  the  convention,  on  the  afternoon  of  the  11th  inst., 
for  publication.  ^ 

On  motion  the  house  adjourned  till  3  o'clock,  p  m. 

AFTERNOON  SESSION. 

The  convention,  as  per  adjournment,  met  at  3  o'clock  p  m.  Roll 
call,  and  minutes  read,  &c.,  President  Porter  aslied  if  any  of  the 
the  commiilees  were  prepared  to  report.  The  committee  appointed 
d  the  death  of  Henry  Winter  Davis  reported  the  following,  which 
was  adopted  ; 

Whereas,  we  hOiVC  with  dcop  regret  received  intelligence  of  the 
death  of  the  Honorable  Henry  Winter  Davis,  Member  of  Congress 
from  the  State  of  Maryland,  and, 

Wh^'reas,  the  nation  has  lost  a  great  man  of  humanity,  a  great 
advocate,  and  an  uncompromising  friend. 

Resolved,  That  this  Convention,  while  willing  to  submit  to  the 
order  of  Providence,  do  sincerely  mourn  the  loss  of  true  a  de- 
fender as  was  found  in  the  abcve  named  jyentleman. 

Focsolved,  That  our  gratitude  and  affections  shall  ever  cluster 
around  his  memory,  and  that  we  will  -transmit  to  his  children  the 
virtues  which  characterized  his  brilliant  life. 

Resolved,  That  we  deeply  sympathize  with  his  bereaved  family, 
and  with  his  political  party,  who  have  lost  a  beloved  member  and  a 
faithful  advocate  of  equal  justice. 

The  coramittoe  on  the  condition  of  the  colored  people  gave  notice 
that  they  were  ready  to  report,  whereupon  the  Chairman  called  it 
up,  which  was  read  and  adopted,  after  some  debate. 

We,  your  committee  who  was  appointed  to  prepare  a  report  on  the 
condition  of  the  colored  people  in  the  State,  and  to  present  the  same 
to  the  honorable  body,  most  respectfully  beg  ^^Dave  to  submit  thefol^ 
lowing : 

It  is  v^ith  much  regret  that  your  committee  are  compelled  to  in- 
form you,  that  after  hearing  the  painful  stories  of  a  large  m&jority  of 
your  delegates,  that  they  deem  it  imprudent  to  report  thein  in  the 
character  given.  It  appears,  however,  that  in  some  of  the  counties, 
our  people  are  farcing  as  well  as  can  be  e-xpected  under  the  condition 


t 


17 

/ 

of  existing  circumstances,  while  in  others  murder  and  other  horrid 
outrages  are  the  ordinary  sufferings  of  our  people.  It  appears  that 
in  several  places  through  the  States,  color'^d  people  are  not  allowed 
to  travel  without  passes  from  their  former  owners,  while  others  still 
are  afraid  to  acknowledge  themselves  free.  In  many  places  their 
meetings  are  broken  up,  and  schools  are  strictly  forbidden.  Several 
who  worked  for  a  share  of  the  crop  were  driven  off,  as  soon  as  it  was 
gathered.  Men  in  several  places  are  compelled  to  work  for  five  and 
seven  dollars  per  month,  and  support  their  families  off  the  same, 
while  old  and  decrepit  persons  are  turned  out  to  die  Though  we  are 
happy  to  say,  this  is  not  a  universal  complaint,  many  of  the  white 
friends  are  disposed  to  do  a  just  part,  and  treat  their  former  slaves 
with  great  feeling  of  regard. 

Your  committee  are  also  pleased  to  learn  that  the  most  of  the  offi- 
cers of  the  Freedmen's  Bureau,  are  tr.e  to  the  interest  of  our  people. 
But  owing  to  their  large  numbers,  it  is  almost  impossible  for  them 
considerately  to  adjust  every  grievance  which  occurs  through  the 
various  counties.  ^ 

Your  committee  would  recommend  that  associations  be  formed  by 
our  people,  in  every  town  and  neighborhood  for  the  relief  of  poor 
and  suffering,  and  to  see  after  the  education  of  our  children,  and  that 
those  associations  be  composed  of  as  many  white  citizens  as  are  friend- 
ly to  the  interprize,  and  willing  to  lend  us  assistance.  And  that 
tne  said  association  have  a  treasury  to  deposit  a  weekly  or  monthly 
contribution,  which  will  be  disposed  of  for  the  benefit  of  our  necessi- 
ties, as  the  association  may  judge  expedient.  Your  committee  would 
recommend  that  these  associations  be  every  where  known,  as  the 
Frier  dly  Union  Society.  And  that  they  be  forthwith  formed  through- 
out the  State. 

The  committee  appointed  to  prepare  a  memorial  for  the  legisla- 
ture of  the  State,  asked  the  privilege  to  report  and  was  ^rranted  to 
do  so  by  the  chairman.  The  following  address  was  read  before  the 
convention  from  a  committee  of  nine,  and  adopted. 

ADDRESS  TO  THE  LEGISLATURE. 

To  the  honorable  members  of  the  Senate  and  House  of  Represent. 

tatives  of  the  State  of  Georgia, 
Gentlemen  : 

Assembled  as  we  are  in  convention  composed  of  delegates  from 
different  parts  of  the  State  for  the  purpose  of  comparing  ideas  and 
blending  our  efforts  together,  in  devising  means  for  the  moral,  social 
and  political  interest  of  our  people,  have  thought  it  not  out  of  keep- 
ing with  the  object  ^f  our  convention,  to  beg  your  favorable  attention 
to  a  few  facts  touching  the  condition  of  our  race  The  success  and 
general  good  of  whom  are  so  indissolubly  connected  with  yours. 

You  have  convened  to  enact  laws  to  govern  our  no  ordinary  State. 
This  exercise  of  power  is  invested  in  you  by  the  constitution  of  a 


18 


p^ea^  r^pnblic.  The  l<^<?al  prerogatives  of  the  people  have  been  trans- 
fered  to  yoa  bj  virrao  of  hy'vnr  their  cl  oscm  rt'pri'seiitaiiive-!.  There- 
fore wht'U  we  appeal  to  your  wis'lom,  sense  of  justice,  and  tnagna-  i^ 
iijous  i^eTierosity,  we  know  rhat  your  c  •nstitueiits  as  well  -your 
honorable  body  will  concede  this  picsumption  to  be  the  sacred  right 
of  your  humbl(\st  country  men. 

It  is  with  profound  reverence  and  ackn'^ viedgod  izratitudo,  that  we 
accept  thf  precious  boon  of  liberty,  which  has  rt  suited  in  the  main 
from  the  sa  gu'n;iry  s  ruj/gle  and  great  revolution,  but  recently 
terminated  in  this  country  Notwithsfan  ling  we  are  repeatedly  told 
that  the  party  who  freed  us,  done  so,  upon  the  unequivocab'e  ground, 
of  military  T'ccessity,  and  not  from  philanthropic  corjsiiierations.  I5ut 
we  are  n^t  concerned  about  the  means,  ^ve  gratefully  accept  the  re- 
sult, and  accord  the  honcr  to  God,  This  much  however  you  will 
sub-^cribe  to  (!ur  credit.  We  never  inaugurated  a  servile  icsurrec- 
tioti.  We  St-  yed  peaceably  at  our  hemes,  and  labored  with  our  usual 
industry.  While  you  were  absent  fi^htinjz  in  the  field,  though  we 
kfiOM'  our  p'^wer  at  the  same  time,  and  would  frequently  speak  of  it. 
We  knew  then  it  w  is  in  our  p  )wer  to  rise,  fire  your  hnuse^,  burn  your 
barns,  railroads,  a-id  discom.'node  you  in  a  thousand  ways.  So  mnch 
so,  that  we  could  have  swe  t  the  country,  like  a  tea  ful  tornado  But 
we  pretered  then  as  we  do  now,  to  wait  on  God,  and  trust  to  the 
institicts  cf  your  humaniry.  Though  it  is  impossible  for  us  to  re- 
main indifferent  spectatoi s  while  you  are  harnessing  the  State  with 
laws  which  mu-t  i  ff^'ct  our  destiny  as  a  people  for  :oges  to  come.  This 
privil  ge  was  not  allowed  us  dunn^:  the  war,  we  wet  efirced  into  your 
service  to  throw  up  breast  work  forts  and  fortifica.ions,  atid  do  the 
work  of  pioneers  utiderthe  guns  of  your  enemy,  where  many  of  us 
in  common  with  yourselves  were  killed.  We  ihus  relieved  thou- 
sands ot  your  men  for  the  armed  service  of  the  field 

Thereto' e  you  could  not  expect  us  to  remain  disinterested  and 
dormant,  while  you  are  making  laws  to  govern  us  under  such  differ'* 
ent  i-elaiioDs  as  we  sustained  to  our  State  refore  we  were  freed.  Then 
we  had  as  many  different  law"^,  as  wc  had  masters,  every  master  bad 
rules  to  regulite  his  own  domestic  subjects.  Bat  now  a  uniform 
sy.s'eu)  of  laws  must  govern  us,  either  in  an  acknowledged  capacity 
with  the  whites,  or  as  a  distii  ct  branch  of  the  inhabitants  of  tho 
State.  These  laws  shi  uid  either  recognize  cur  rights  as  a  people, 
or  '  Ise  the  State  should  not  exact  of  u-j  the  tribute  oi  a  people,  for 
taxation  without  representat.' on  is  contrary  to  the  fundamental  princi- 
ples which  govern  republican  countries. 

Buffering  from  the  consequent  degradation  of  two  hundred  and 
forty-six  years  enslavement,  it  is  not  to  be  expected  that  we  are 
thoro'ighly  tual  fied  to  take  our  position  bef-'de  those  who  ftv^r  ages 
have  been  rocked  in  the  cradl  •  of  education.  But  as  we  are  willing 
to  bury  the  past,  and  foiget  the  ills  of  f-lavery,  and  ass'ime  the  atti- 
tude of  a-  free  people,  we  shall  expect  your  encouragement  by  the 
/^re^t^oij  of  sn'ol)  laws  m  ore  cVjuitab)o,  and  pragre^ssiro.    The  in- 


* 

<»crataWe  band   of  Providence  has  cast  our  lot  among  yours,  we 

bat'e  been  i  orix  and  reared  amor'g  you  The  duj||  of  our  faibers 
miiigle  with  yours  in  tin*  same  i;rave  yards;  you  nave  trunsiuiMed  into 
our  V' ii.s  much  of  the  rich  blood  wh  cb  course  throuj^h  yours;' we 
talk  the  same  ia?iguHj;e,  and  worship  the  same  Go  ;  oarui.  tners  have 
nursed  }ou,  and  satisfied  your  hunger  with  our  pap,  our  associatioa 
-with  you  have  taught  us  to  revere  you.  This  is  your  c  )untry,  but  it 
is  ours  too;  ^ou  were  born  here,  so  were  we;  your  fathers  foUi^ht  for 
it,  but  our  fathers  fed  them.  Therefore  we  know  of  n  ■  country  but 
this,  and  if  we  did,  we  are  too  poor  to  emmi^rate  to  it,  so  we  si  all 
expect  to  remain  in  your  midst  till  providence  at  least  orders  a  plan 
of  separation. 

And  being  as  we  are  a  people  susceptable  of  mental  culture  and 
intellectwal  growth,  as  you  are,  you  can  not  in  j>jstice  with  the  pro- 
gress of  society  and  spread  of  idta-*,  enact  laws  for  the  future  by  the 
aspects  of  the  present.  A  few  years  will  materially  change  our 
status,  education  and  wealth  which  are  bouiid  to  be  distributed  in  our 
9-  ranks  will  tell  in  power  upon  the  resources  of  the  State.  We  there- 
fore tr'ist  your  honorable  botJy  will  make  laws  which  will  cont/m" 
plate  the  future,  more  than, the  present.  ChMri^y  will  forbid  you 
begirding  us  Vkith  limited  enactments.  We  shall  want  asylums  for 
our  lunatics;  schools  and  colleges  or  our  children;  hurches  for  our 
rt  sp  •ctivo  faiths.  0  :r  }Oung  men  will  be  aspiring  to  ihe  positions  of 
doctors,  lawyers,  ministers,  army  office  rs,  and  every  capacity  in  which 
they  can  represent  the  interest  of  their  people.  In  return  we  shall 
expect  to  maintain  the  honor  of  our  State,  and  the  integrity  of  our 
country,  for  shoqild  an  invading  foe  plant  his  symbol  upon  tte  thresh- 
hold  of  our  free  republic,  no  ha' d  shall  be  raised  sooner  than  ours 
to  strike  it  down.  13u  it  would  not  be  reasonable  to  expect  this  of 
us,  if  your  laws  denied  us  justice.  It  would  be  in  keepiiiif  with 
human  nature  to  side  with  those  whose  laws  were  most  equitable.  It 
is  contrary  to  nature,  to  love  that  wh  ch  is  no'  lovely.  We  arc  in- 
clined however,  to  believe  that  nutriin-/  less  than  true  allegiance  to  our 
country  and  to  the  interest  cf  our  Stare,  will  ever  character  zj  our 
people.  Because  Georgia  which  was  in  many  vespects  so  tolerant,  in 
the  days  of  slavery  will  not  in  our  opinion,  while  passing  tlirough  a 
glorious  transition,  be  unmindful  of  our  relations  to  its  perpetual 
security  and  honor. 

We  are  very  thankful  for  the«pass3ge  of  the  act,  which  allocs  us 
to  testify  in  your  courts,  on  such  qiK'Sti(ms  as  appertain  to  our  inter- 
est. But  we  trust  you  will  not  stop  there.  We  need  the  power  to 
represent  our  interest  in  every  depa:  tment  bearing  upon  our  condition 
as  a  people.  We  claim  at  least  conditional  sufterage,  aijd  do  most 
respectiully  solicit  yo'ir  grave  body  for  the  privilege  to  vote  in  all 
cases  where  our  interest  is  at  stake,  and  the  educaiion  and  general 
intelligence  of  our  people  will  guarantee  security  in  the  exercise  of 
that  exclusive  ri;:ht. 

We  also  claim  that  in  all  cases  where  we  are  tried  for  legal  offences 


20 


b^'tween  each  other,  a  jury  consisting  of  colored  men  should  be  em- 
panneled  for  that  purpose.  For  it  is  the  right  of  every  man  accused 
of  any  offence,  to  be  tried  by  a  jury  of  hi^  peers,  and  when  the  pai- 
ties  are  al  solutel:  colored,  there  could  be  no  injustice  done  the 
white  man  by  such  a  course  of  action,  besides  it  would  give  entire 
Satisfaction  to  the  colored  people.  And  even  when  white  persons 
should  be  a  party  to  the  affair  a  proportional  representation  on  the 
jury  would  be  no  unfair  intrusion  upon  tbem. 

Being  accustomed  to  your  fields,  workshops,  and  to  the  performs 
ance  of  your  domestic  duties,  we  claim  thorough  knowledge  of  the 
same,  and  we  are  willing  as  heretofore  to  work  in  them  for  reason- 
able wa/es,  we  shall  expect  to  be  employed  by  you,  and  to  do  ('Ur 
work  as  dutiful  servants;  at  the  same  time,  we  shall  expecl^ clemen- 
cy and  kind  treatment  from  you.  Many  of  our  people  who  have 
never  had  the  opportunity  of  leaving  their  homes,  and  having  heard 
such  fabulous  stories  about  the  splendor  of  our  cities,  have  left  their 
homes  to  lounge,  in  several  instances,  around  our  towns  and  villages, 
with  false  ideas  concerning  the  benenti  thereby  to  be  realized.  But 
so  soon  as  they  shall  become  a  little  tempered  to  freedom,  this  state 
of  ihiugs  will  favorably  change,  indeed,  has  r-uiarkably  changed  al-* 
ready.  Thousands  are  returning  to  tiieir  former  homes,  or  to  newly 
selected  ones,  and  are  preparing  to  raise  such  produce  as  the  seasons 
and  their  means  will  allow. 

We  are  also  sorry  to  inform  you,  that  thousands  have  been  driven 
away  from  their  homesteads  by  their  former  owners,  merely  to  gratify 
a  vindictive  spleen,  which  they  ciierishtd  against  the  ruling  power, 
for  which  we  are  not  to  blame.  Others  have  been  forced  to  leave  iu 
consequence  of  such  inhuman  cruelty,  that  it  was  impo^-sible  to  live 
and  endure  it.  But  we  trust  this  state  of  things  will  soon  sober 
down,  and  that  the  madness  of  our  white  people  will  be  transformed 
into  a  spirit  of  agreeableness. 

The  Freedmen's  Bureau  has  done,  we  believe,  all  in  its  power  to 
alleviate  our  sufferings  and  necessities,  and  appears  to  be  still  actu- 
ated by  the  same  spirit,  for  which  we  are  under  many  obligations. 
But  these  government  agents  cannot  remain  here  always,  therefore  we 
appeal  to  you  for  legal  protection  against  every  speci';S  of  outrage. 

We  would  most  respectfully  in  this  connection  call  your  attention 
to  our  treatment  on  the  Pvailroads  ,  We  are  charged  equal  with  the 
the  whites,  but  do  not  get,  half  the  accommodation.  We  are  cu.  sed 
and  kicked  about  by  conductors;  our  wives  and  sisters  are  black 
guarded  and  insulted  by  the  scrapings  of  earth.  The  most  filthy 
language  is  used  to  our  ladies  regardless  of  their  respectability,  age 
or  character  offVring  restraint,  and  generally  assigned  to  cars  with 
no  comforts  whatever,  while  the  whites  who  :-ay  no  more,  if  as  much, 
have  all  the  conveniences  possible,  and  if  we  speak  of  our  treatment 
we  are  frowned  upon  with  contempt,  atid  replied  to  in  bitter  epithets. 

Nor  can  we  close  th  s  memorial  witi  out  calling  your  attention  to 
the  often  repeated  threats,  which  we  hear  ia  various  parts  of  the 


21 


State,  leading  us  to  believe  there  must  be  a  contemplated  plot  in 

reserve  for  our  general  extermination 

This  we  iufer  from  being  fre  juently  told,  *  when  the  Yankees  all 
leave,  you  had  better  leave  with  them,  or  you  will  wish  you  had,'  and 
6ther  remarks  too  numerous  to  mention.  True,  the  better  informed 
of  us  have  but  little  fours,  but  there  are  thousands  who  are  kept  in 
unsettled  suspense  from  auch  remarks,  and  we  think  this  greatly  mili- 
tates against  the  contract  system.  But  give  us  laws  just  and  equal 
in  their  protective  bearings,  and  these  fears  will  be  banished  and  ill- 
designing  men  will  be  utterly  powerless. 

On  motion,  Mr  S  W  Beard  was  appointed  to  prepare  a  special 
copy,  to  be  signed  by  the. '^^resident  and  Secretary,  and  to  be  forward- 
to  the  Governor  of  Georgia,  with  a  request  that  he  lay  it  before  the 
Legislature  of  this  State, 

The  committee  on  State  Officers  not  being  ready  to  report.  Rev. 
Lewis  Williams  was  called  upon  to  address  the  co-^-vention  which  he 
did  at  some  length,  and  was  followed  by  E  Kucker,  of  Cobb,  F 
Qaarles,ot  Fulton,  and  Lewis  B  Carter,  of  Richmond. 

Ths  committee  havintj;  returned,  informed  the  convention  they  were 
prepared  to  report,  when  it  was  discovered  the  c  mniittce  had  divided, 
and  there  was  a  maj^^rity  and  a  m  nority  report.  Report  of  the 
majority:  J  E  Bryant,  for  President;  Rev  Wm  J  White,  Record-, 
ing  Secretary  ;  L  B  Toomer,  for  Oorrespondiiig  Secretary.  Report 
of  the  minority:  Rev  James  Porter,  for  President;  Rev  Wm  J 
White,  Recording  Secretary,  and  L  B  Toomer  for  Corresponding 
Secretary.  After  some  debet,  the  rep(  rt  of  the  majority  was  ad» 
opted,  when,  on  another  motion  the  vole  was  declared  unanimous. 

After  the  election  was  completed  the  officers  were  found  to  stand 
thus:  President,  J  E  Bryant.  Vice  presidents :  T  P  Beard  of 
Richmond  county,  U  L  Houston  of  Guatham,  W  D  Banks  of  Bibb, 
Edward  C  Powers  of  Greene,  Henry  Nelson,  Wilkes,  t'rank  Quarles 
of  Faiton,  William  Finch  of  Clari<e,  S  McAlister  of  x^organ,  T 
Rhodes  of  Mu^^cogec,  William  Harris,  of  Warren,  Recording  Secre- 
tary :  Wm  J  White  of  Richmond.  Correspording  Secretary  :  L  JB 
Toomer  of  Savannah,  Ga. 

On  motion,  a  committee  consisting  of  H  M  Turner,  U  L  Houston, 
R  T  Kent,  was  delegated  to  bring  in  the  newly  elected  officers,  who 
upon  being  introduced  to  President  Porter,  was  introduce!  to  the 
convention,  after  which  the  Chair  addressed  the  newly  elQCted  officers 
in  a  most  eloquent  manner.  So  very  thrilling  and  nerve  searching, 
was  his  appeals  to  their  responsibility  as  men,  whose  object  wou'd  be 
the  political  and  educational  interest  of  rho  colored  people  of  the 
State,  that  the  officers  elect  could  hardly  reply  when  it  came  theiF 
turn. 

The  convention  adopted  the  following  oath  for  them  to  take  be- 
ore  going  into  ofii'^e,  wluch  t\\oy  all  took  with  right  hand  lifted  to- 

...  .....  fc- 


ward  heaven,  and  kissed  the  Bible  at  the  conclusion  of  their  repeti^ 
tioQ. 

I,  ,  do  before  Alrniuhty  God  and  to  The  TJn ion 

L'^ague  f  )r  equal  rights  of  the  State  of  Georirin,  m-ost  solemnly  Sweoir 
faitfitully  to  di-char^e  all  the  dunes  of  my  Office,  and  will  tr^at  with 
duG  reiiard.  a-l  the  members  of  this  As<ioci:i  .ion  ;  and  I  will  also'sup- 
port  and  defend  the  ^Constitution  and  the  Livvs  of  the  United  States, 
so  help  mo  God. 

On  motion,  a  committee  was  appointed  to  draft  resolutions,  ex- 
pres  ii  e  the  sjiitiments  of  ihe  coi.ventio'i  on  the  fiendish  assassination 
of  President  Lincoln  ;  i^Iessrs  White,  Kent  and  Drayton  were  ap.* 
pointed. 

Ou  motion,  the  house  adjourned  to  met  as  per  rules. 


FOURTH  DAY'S  PROCEEDINGS,  Jan.  13th,  1866. 

The  convention  assembled  as  per  adjou^-nrapnt,  President  Porter 
in  the  Chair,  prayer  by  Chap'ain  Watts  roll  called,  minutes  read  and 
approved,  rules  of  the  conv 'rition  read. 

Committee  on  the  death  of  Mr.  Lincoln  reported,  as  follows,  which 
was  adopted : 

Wh^rms,  This  convontion  owes  the  privilege  of  assembling  in  its 
present  capacity,  nnd  the  freedom  of  our  persoi  s  to  the  inviiiCable 
patriotism  "f  the  late  President.  Lincoln.  And, 

Whereas  The  said  Fresid  nt  was  struck  down  in  the  prime  of  his 
adniinistr  itive  career,  by  the  foul  I'.and  of  t,r  ason,  under  the  revenge- 
ful influence  of  traitors  to  the  Government  who  fostered  them  in 
every  concr^iveable  right. 

Rtso/vd.  That  we  mourn  his  loss  as  no  others  can  mourn  it  on 
earth,  a  d  that  we  enshrine  his  tiai^e  in  our  hearts  with  deific  honors. 

Re^ohed^  Tt'at  it  is  the  opinion  of  this  convention  that  if  Presi'- 
clent  L  ncoln  had  lived,  jus^ico  to  all  men  irresptctive  of  color,  would 
hav»^  bet  n  meted  out,  and  that  the  father  of  liberty  would  have  been 
th4  fath(  r  of  rights. 

The  committee  on  Education  was  called  upon  to  report,  which 
report  will  be  foun  1  at  the  end  of  the  proce<  dinL'S. 

0  \  motion  the  convention  resolved  to  have  2000  copies  of  the  pro- 
ceedings printed,  f.)r  gerteral  distribution  throuL!;h  the  country. 

On  motion,  the  coi!V«^ntion  requested  the  several  churches  in  the 
city  for  a  collection  o  i  the  followini);  sabbath,  and  all  the  churches  in 
the  State  as  scon  thereafter  as  their  request  ciuld  be  made  known  to 
said  churches,  aad  thai  the  said  collectio  is  be  forward  :d  to  the  Head^ 
quarters  <>f  the  asso(;iatioM  at  Augusta,  Ga  ,  a.-^  soon  as  coPec'ed 

Mr.  Eberhatt  Supe'rin^endant  of  colored  schools  in  the  State  of 
Q^or^i*,  boio^  iutroducod  to  the  ooavoat'oo,  luado  aa  iatorestiug  ad- 


553 


dresg.  He  said  he  had  just  returnod  from  a  tour  fchrou^h  the  Stato, 
and  was  much  plen^j.  d  with  tie  State  of  things  amon  -  our  people  He 
saw  ^vo  wtife  deter  niaed  '"/J  e<iuoite  ours^lv^^s.  and  that  was  wh  it  we 
needed  f-Ij  w  is  a  frie  ri  of  oar  riae,  ev»>r  hi  i  i^e  vi  and  if  we  did 
not  kuDW  it  now,  we  would  in  a  short  time.  He  did  not  work  for  a 
great  name  amonjT  men,  but  from  a  consciousness  of  dury.  Ho 
.■said  we  were  capable  of  any  improvetne  t  that  white  n^en  were,  and 
tinie  would  tell  it.  The. cominittee  on  resolutions  reportcj'i  hut  flie 
coiiventiorj  o^'jectins  to  some  thiugs  iu  thetn,  resolved  to  adjorn  till 
2^  o'clock  to  c  )nsider  them. 

Oa  motion,  the  house  acljouroed. 

AFTERNOON  SESSION. 

Convention  assembled  at  2  30  p  m.  Prayer  by  President  P'">r^ 
ter ;  roll  called  and  tninate<^  read  alter  which  '.hn  new  ly  eU^cTd  <  iSi- 
cers  came  forvardand  took  the  oat i  of  otSce.  Cipta'u  J  E  Bryant, 
the  President  elect;  ou  taking  the  oath  spjke  as  follows  : 

Gentkmeu  of  the  Geo>-gia  Eqiud  Rig ^- Is  Association: 

Having  met  in  convention  in  pursuance  of  a  ca^l  to  the  friends  of 
impartial  justice  in  this  Stace,  and  having  formed  an  Association, 
you  have  elected  me  President. 

I  appear  before  you  to  accepr  the  honor,  and  ^o  thank  you  for  the 
confidence  you  have  maniftsied  in  me. 

The  Gill  for  this  convention  was  addressed  to  the  friends  of  impar 
tial  justice,  but  was  responded  to  by  colored  men  only.  I  trust  ti  at 
I  shall  li'.-e  to  see  the  day,  when  a  call  of  this  kind  will  be  res  onded 
to  equally  by  both  races 

I  am  informed  rhafe  some  of  your  number  felt,  that,  as  c  dored 
men  only  were  represft?d  in  the  conventio  >,  the  cffieers  of  tliis  x\s- 
sociation  should  be  colored  m^n  exclusive  y  B.Jt  that,  after  care- 
fully considering  the  subject,  you  were  utianimitus  in  your 
selection.  Whiie  I  believe  tnat  you  ac^ed  wisely  \u  ch<.'0sing  your 
Pre-ident  from  among  your  white  friends,  I  could  wish  that  the 
honor  had  been  conterred  upo  i  some  other  person.  Btt,  after  lis- 
tening to  th.o  remurks  of  the  President  of  your  convention,  who,  in 
words  that  touched  niv  heart  as  it  nas  seiJom  b  -en  touched,  as-med 
me,  that  in  choosing  one  from  the  race  of  your  oppressors,  to  act  as 
President  of  an  Associarion,  or/^iujized  to  secure  fur  your  r'C"  equal 
rif  hts,  you  manifested  the  confidence  nd  esteem  entertained  for  me 
by  youiselves  and  those  whom  you  represent;  I  cun  not  decline  to 
accept  the  position,  and  I  promise,  that,  with  the  help  of  Him,  who 
rules  all  nations  and  has  by  an  al!n')st  miraculous  display  of  p  >wer 
given  you  freedom,  I  will  not  <lis  jppoint  you.  If  my  efi;orts  in  the 
past  have  been  sugIj  as  to  lead  you  to  place  confidence  in  me,  I  trust 
that  acthiug  iu  my  future  conduct  shall  cause  yoa  to  lose  that  cou- 


24 


fidence.  I  shall  labor  earnestly  and  fearlessly  with  what  ability  G-od 
has  given  me, 

You  have  organized  an  Association  to  aid  in  securing  for  all,  with* 
out  regard  to  race  or  color,  equal  political  rights.  If  you  had  chosen 
for  officers  Done  but  colored  men,  an  impression  would  undoubtedly 
have  been  created,  that,  although  your  Association  was  known  as  an 
'Equal  Rights'  Association,  it  was,  in  fact,  a  society  of  colored  men 
alone.  But,  by  your  action,  you  have  shown  that  you  desire  to  co- 
operate with      your  friends. 

loz/y  have  taken  the  initiatory  step,  but,  I  believe,  you  will  be 
joined  by  a  large  number  of  the  white  race,  friends  of  freedom  and 
progress. 

You  ask  only  political  equalily  ;  conscious  that  social  equality  does 
not  exist,  you  neither  expect  or  desire  it,  but  you  claim  for  yourselves 
the  right,  conceded  to  white  men,  to  select  your  associates  and  pro- 
tect your  wives  and  daughters  from  insult,  promising  safety  to  their 
wives  and  daughters,  so  far  as  yourselves  are  concerned. 

I  believe  that  this  position  is  right^  and  that  the  time  ivill  come 
when  equal  political  rights  will  be  conceded  to  every  man  in  this 
country  without  regard  to  race,  descent  or  color. 

"Truth,  crushed  to  earth  will  rise  again, 
The  eternal  years  of  God  are  hers, 
But  error,  wounded,  writhes  in  pain 
And  dies  amid  her  worshippers." 

A  few  hundred  years  ago  the  inhabitants  of  Europe  Tiere  ignorant 
of  the  existence  of  this  Western  continent.  'But,  suddenly,  the 
world,  as  it  were,  opened  on  its  hinges  and  revealed  to  the  wondering 
gaze  of  the  old  world  a  new  continent,'  rich  in  everything  which 
nature  could  give,  with  mighty  rivers,  broad  lakes  and  lofty  moun-* 
tains,  whose  snow»^capped  summits  pierced  the  clouds. 

Men,  who  longed  for  civil  and  religious  liberty,  came  to  that  wils 
dBrness  country,  braving  almost  insurmountable  difficulties  and  hard- 
ships.  Amid  the  storms  of  winter  one  company  lauded  upon  the 
inhospitable  shores  of  what  is  now  New  England. 

Other  colonists  settled  in  different  parts  of  the  country  until  they 
numbered  some  more  than  three  millions. 

Strange  as  it  may  seem,  these  men,  who  came  here  to  escape  from 
religious  presccutiou.  themselves  persecuted  those  who  diflfered  from 
them  in  religion. 

And,  what  is  yet  more  strange,  men,  who  sought  these  shores  that 
they  might  escape  from  tyranny,  established  a  tyranny  mor2  hateful 
than  that  which  they  had  endured. 

Such  is  human  nature.  Men  deny  to  others  what  they  claim  for 
themselves.  The  injunction  of  our  Savior,  *as  ye  would  that  men 
should  do  to  you,  do  ye  also  to  them  likewise'  is  little  regarded.  The 
inhabitants  of  this  country  were  oppressed  by  the  Government  of 


Great  Britian,  and  after  reraonstraticg  until  remonstrence  Ceased  to 

avail,  they  declared  war  against  the  mother  country,  and,  presontin<5 
to  the  world  the  Declaration  of  Independence,  fou<^hc  to  establish 
the  truths  therein  contained.  They  declared  that  'all  men' — not 
'tchif.e  men — but  '  all  men^  are  created  equal ;  that  they  are 
endowed  by  their  Creator  with  certain  inalienable  riglit'i ; 
that,  amon!2!  these,  are  life,  liberty  and  the  pursuit  of  hap- 
piness.' Stanaing  upon  this  broad  platform  of  equal  rights  for  all 
mer,  and  appealing  to  the  God  of  battles  our  fore  fathers  fought 
seven  years,  when  victory  crowned  their  arms 

There  wore  then  thirteen  colonies,  and,  to  unite  them,  establish 
justice  and  secure  domestic  tranquility,  they  formed  a  constitution, 
which,  with  some  amendments,  was  the  Constitution  of  the  United 
Stat' s  before  the  late  war. 

We  would  suppose  that  a  people  who  had  fought  for  equal  rights 
for  all  men  would  have  established  a  Government  that  would  secure 
to  all  that  blessing. 

But  the  des'^endents  of  those  tnen  who  escap  d  from  tyranny  in 
the  old  world  and  established  religious  presecution  in  this;  the  peo^ 
pie  who  carried  on  a  seven  years  struggle  to  establish  a  free  Govern-* 
ment^  allowed  the  worst  tyrdnny  tliat  ever  cursed  the  earth  to  exist 
in  their  very  n)idst. 

It  is  true  that  the  statesmen,  who  framed  the  con: titution,  con- 
sidered slavery  to  be  an  evil  that  would  be  soon  remedied,  but  interest 
prevailed,  ani  the  institution  speedily  found  able  advocates,  and,"  in 
time,  ministers  of  the  Gosnel  held  that  it  was  a  divine  institution. 
Not  only  at  the  South,  did  this  feeling  prevail,  but,  at  the  North, 
larjze  numbers  of  men  were  found,  who  publicly  or  privately  defended 
slavery 

About  the  year  1854,  many  of  the  leaders  of  the  two  great  political 
parties  into  which  the  country  was  then  divided,  believing  in  the 
D(3claration  of  Independence  and  loving  liberty,  brok  olf  from  these 
parties  and  formed  a  nt  w  party. 

Considering  slavery  an  evil,  not  only  to  the  master,  the  slave  and 
the  State,  but  to  the  whole  country,  they  determined,  if  possible,  to 
prevent  its  extension  into  the  territories. 

Congress  could  not,  without  violating  the  Constitution  of  the 
United  States,  wlvlch  is  the  supreme  law  of  the  country,  interfere  with 
slavery  in  the  States;  but  it  could  refuse  to  admit  a  State,  whoso 
constitution  did  not  prohibit  slavery.  This  the  Republicau  party 
pi«i)posed  to  do. 

In  1856  they  attempted  to  elect  a  President  but  failed.  In  1860 
th'iy  again  made  the  attempt,  and  were  successful,  electing  Mr.  Lin- 
coln. 

The  Southern  States  decided  to  secede,  and  this  brought  on  the 
late  war.  At  first  the  President  attempted  to  crush  the  rebellion,  and 
at  the  same  time,  protect  slavery,  but,  after  fighting  nearly  two  years, 
and  becoming  satisfied  that  the  rebellion  could  not  be  crushed  and 


!86 


slavery  preserveJ,  on  the  1st  day  of  January,  1863,  he  issued  his 
Emancipation  Proclamation. 

Tlie  armies  of  tlie  South  were  conquered,  and  slavery  ceased  to 
exist  in  nearly  all  of  the  States. 

The  Republican  party,  which,  ac  the  coramenceraent  of  the  war, 
intended  to  protect  slavery  in  the  States,  no?7  advocated  universal 
freedom.  To  secure  this,  Congress  passed  a  resolution  to  amend  the 
Constitution  of  the  United  States 

This  haviiigbeen  ratified  by  two  thirds  cf  the  States  (one  of  which, 
I  am  happy  to  say,  is  our  State  of  Georgia)  slavery  has  ceased  to 
exist  in  the  United  States.  Now  the  Republican  party  placs  itself 
upon  the  broad  platform  of  Eijual  Rights  to  all.  There  our  fathers 
stood  when  they  fought  the  war  of  the  revolution,  and  there  wcst^nd. 

Having  been  a  member  of  the  Republican  party  since  its  organiza-* 
lion,  I  am  happy  to  accent  the  Presidency  of  an  Association,  which 
advocates  its  policy  in  this  the  P^mpir.  State  of  the  South. 

Becoming,  as  you  do,  a  part  of  the  great  Republican  party,  so  far 
as  this  is  possible  in  your  present  condition,  it  is  important  that  you 
do  your  part  in  securing  the  grand  objects  which  it  advocates.  You 
may  perhaps  think  you  can  do  nothing.  You  can  do  much  ;  I  might 
almost  say  that  you  can  decide  the  question.  If  you,  a-^  a  people, 
shall  be  industrious  and  peaceable ;  if  you  become  educated,  and, 
so  far  as  you  can  consistently  with  self-respect,  cuUi^'ate  friendly 
relations  with  those  who  were  formerly  your  masters,  it  will  be  as 
impossible  to  deprive  you  of  the  riizhts  which  o^her  citizens  enjoy  ias 
it  would  be  to  prevent  the  ebb  and  flow  of  the  ocean. 

I  have  full  faith  that  your  future  will  be  bright ;  but  a  great  work 
is  before  you.  It  will  be  my  duty,  and  I  can  assure  you  thai,  it  will 
be  a  pleasurable  duty,  to  assist,  so  far  as  I  am  able;  in  doing  this 
not  only  are  you  benefitted,  but  the  Sta'e  also. 

There  are  in  Georgii  five  hundred  thousand  freedmen.  They 
have  heretofore  been  laborers  and  have  done  much  to  develope  the 
resources  of  the  State.  If  you  are  not  as  a  people  industrious,  not 
only  would  you  remain  poor  and  become  a  burden  to  the  State, 
but  property  holders  would  likewise  sufter. 

They  would  however,  in  time,  fill  your  ploces  with  laborers  from 
abr'^ad,  and  drive  you  from  their  midst.  If  you  shall  be  industrious, 
as  I  fully  believe  you  will  be,  then  it  will  be  for  the  interest  of  men 
of  property  to  retain  you. 

It  can  not  be  expected  that  you  will  be  industrious  unless  you  re- 
ceive fair  compensation  for  your  labor.  This  I  shall  endeavor  to^aid 
you  in  securing. 

Formerly  you  were  obliged  to  work  or  submit  to  punishment,  now 
you  must  be  induced  to  work,  not  (onrp^lle.d  to  do  it. 

If  you  are  not  indust  ious  when  you  are  justly  treated,  not  only 
will  Southern  men  drive  you  from  iheir  midst,  but  Northern  men 
will  not  intefcre  in  your  behalf,  for  the  latter  dispise  the  idle,  tbey 
have  *  no  use '  for  the  lazy.* 


2r 


It  was  for  the  interest  of  your  maUtr  that  you  sboiild  be  i^no. 
raii%  it  75  for  the  i'lterost  of  aV  that  you  shall  be  educated  You 
will  be  better  laborers  if  educated.  Men  d«  not  naturally  love  work, 
they  are  induced  to  work  from  necessity  or  interest.  That  man 
who  has  the  most  wants  will  usually  labor  with  the  greatest  industry 
unless  these  wa^ts  are  supplied  withnut  labor.  The  more  intelligent 
men  :ire  the  D:}ore  wants  they  have,  hence  it  is  for  the  interest  of 
all  that  the  laborers  shall  be  educated.  The  more  enlightened  the 
inhabitants  of  a  State  become,  the  more  prosperous  will  it  be. 

New  PJngland,  with  its  cold  climate  cd  unproductive  soil,  exerts  a 
powerful  influence  in  this  country  lecause  its  people  are  educated; 
while  the  sunny  South,  with  its  genial  climate,  is  less  prosperous 
because  i's  laboring  class  is  uneducated. 

I  believe  that  you  will  be  peaceable  because  Then  you  had  cause 
to  fight'for  liberty,  you  looked  to  God  for  deliverai  ce.  Even  when 
your  maters  were  absent  in  the  army,  fighring  to  rivet  your  diains 
more  firmly,  leaving  their  wivcS  and  children  unprotected,  you  were 
faithful.  Now  that  God  has  hear  1  your  prayers,  and  \  our  friends 
are  luboring  to  secure  to  you  your  rights,  your  will,  I  fee),  certain, 
conduct  yourselves  as  law  abiding  citizens;  altiiOUiJih  outrages  are 
committed  upon  your  people  that  we  should  expect  only  in  the  dark 
agt'S  and  in  the  mo-t  barbous  country,  do  not  ailow  yourselves  to  be 
goaded  by  these  to  break  t  he  peace.  You  are  not  ©nly  aUowed  to  de- 
fend yourselves  and  families,  but  true  manhood  demanch  that  yoa 
do  it. 

Cultivate  friendly  relations  with  every  person,  if  possible.  You 
wish  to  live  in  this  State,  and  if  ycu  live  here  you  wish  to  do  so  in 
peace.  Many  of  the  best  men  in  your  midst  are  your  friends,  and 
wish  to  g"ve  you  justice.  The  Governor  of  *.he  State  has  said  kind 
words  of  you.  Altliough  I  am  unacquainted  with  him,  yet  1  have 
reason  to  believe  that  he  is  i.ot  only  a  highly  educated  and  accom- 
plish ed  gentleman  and  an  able  states  jian,  but  a  christian  man  who 
will  do  what  he  believes  to  be  his  duty.  The  best  men  in  the 
State  intend  to  be  just,  and  althougli  justice  in  their  esti- 
ma  ion  nviy  not  mean  eqtial,  po'iticat  rights,  ye*",  exemplary  conduct 
on  y"Ur  part  will  perhaj.s  induce  them  to  advosate  even  these. 

Many  of  the  most  wealthy  citizens  of  the  Srate  have  been  reduced 
almost  to  poverty ;  others  have  but  little  besides  their  lands  and 
stock.  They  are  disheartened,  believing  that  you  will  not  work 
faithfully,  and  seeing  nothing  encouraging  in  the  future.  Disappoint 
these  men :  show  them  that;  a  freeman  is  a  better  laborer  than  a 
slave.  If  you  do  this,  you  will  not  only  make  them  your  friends,  but 
you  will  make  them  frimids  of  freedom,  and  they  will  aid  you  in 
securing  your  rights.  Go  forth  and  work  out  your  destiny  1  The 
eyes  of  the  woild  are  upon  you  ;  some  expecting,  many  fearing  your 
failure,  and  y  t  others  tremblingly  trust  you,  while  many  have  full 
confidence  in  -.our  final  success.  In  the  latter  class  I  am  reckoned, 
aud,  with  you  and  for  ym,  I  will  labor,  believing  that  you  will'  leave 


28 


"  Footprints  in  tlio  sands  of  Time, 
Footprints  that  perhaps  another, 
Passing  o^er  life's  troubled  main, 
Some  f  irlorn  and  shipwrec.:^'!  brother, 
Seeinnrmay  take  heart  again." 

 0  

The  committee  on  resolutions  made  their  report.  But  owing  to 
some  objec  tionable  features,  the  motion  for  their  adoption  was  Ir.ssed. 
William  Finch  moved  they  lie  read  and  acted  upon  seperately,  which 
was  adopted.    The  first  resolution  was  read,  to  wit 

Resolved^  Tliat  the  a-lmission  of  Western  Viririnia  into  the  Union, 
as  an  independent  State  ciwed  out  of  old  Virjiinia  by  Congress 
established  the  fact,  that  all  the  revolted  States  are  territories  and 
are»inder  th.e  rule,  and  re,(>:ulation  of  Congress 

It  was  moved  the  resolution  T-e  on  the  table,  which  was  followed 
by  a  spirited  discussion  Mr  Hradly  took  the  floor  and  spoke  at 
some  length,  several  gentlemen  kept  rising  to  their  feet,  till  the  con- 
vention become  f^uite  excited.  The  previous  question  being  finally 
demanded,  the  mot-ion  for  its  adoption  was  lost. 

The  second  resolution  was  read  to  wit. 

Resolved^  That  from  the  fact,  that  the  President  grants  amnesty 
and  pardon  with  restoration  of  property, — as  he  says — and  they 
y.cknowledgo  it,  establishes  the  truth  of  the  fact,  that  ail  the  proper^ 
ty^of  th;5  revuitod  States,  belong  to  the  United  States,  and  that  said 
revolted  States  are  therefore  uiider  the  control  of  Congress  of  the 
Uuired  States. 

In  likemanner  the  whole  of  the  resolutions  were  read  and  acted 
upon  seperately  and  after  considerable  discussion  the  following  were 
adopted. 

RESOLUTIONS  OF  THE  FREFDMEN'S  CONVENTION 
/  OF  GEOllGIA. 

Whereas^  The  cohered  citizens  of  the  State  of  Georgia,  are  hero, 
for  the  first  time  in  the  history  ot  the  Government,  represented  by 
their  delegates  in  convention  assembled,  and 

Whereus,  It  is  a  duty  which  we  owe  to  our  common  country  and 
the  world,  to  define  our  position,  that  all  may  know  what  political 
rights  we  claim  under  the  Government  which  has  made  us  a  free 
I  people,  therefore  be  it 

Reso/vd,  That  we  claim  for  ourselves  the  dignity  of  manhood  in 
common  with  all  other  men  of  whatever  race,  that  we  are  endowed 
by  our  Creator  with  all,  and  the  same  inalienible  rights  that  are 
Other  men's,  and  that  we  cannot  be  deprived  of  thesa  rights  by  any 


29 


earthly  power,  nor  can  any  power  orj'nfliviJual  infringe  those  rights 
without  insulting  harnanity  and  viOiating  the  plainest  teachings  of 
Christianity. 

Reso/ved,  That  our  people  are  daily  subjected  to  the  most  cruel 
abuses  by  men  who,  in  defiance  of  law  and  authority,  violate  and  out- 
rage the  simplest  form  of  moral  jastice,  and  we  call  therefore  upon 
the  Governmint  to  to  bring  to  spee  iy  justice  all  suca  criminals  aud 
thus  n  .t  only  vindicate  our  causp,  but  ihe  principles  of  liberty  and 
right. 

Resolved,  That  our  most  profound  gratitude  is  under  Providence, 
due  the  Executi,ve  and  Re:£i^larive  autijorit'es  of  the  Government  for 
bestowing  upon  us  our  original  liberty,  and  that  we  respectfudy  ask 
the  same  powers  to  maintain  and  secure  to  us  the  same  personal  safe^ 
ty,  to  the  enjoyment  of  the  fruits  ot  honest  industry  and  economy, 
that  are  enjoyed  by  other  men. 

Resolved,  That  as  a  people  who  have  ever — under  all  circumstan- 
ces, in  slavery  and  in  freedom — been  loyal  and  steadfast  in  our  sup* 
port  of  the  Governmeut,  we  can  more  ri>^htf"uily  complain  of  the  de^  ' 
nial  of  the  right  of  suffer  :ge  tiian  can  those  laiely  in  arms  against 
the  constituted  authorities  of  the  land,  complain  of  Congress  for  de- 
nying them  a  representation  upon  its  floor 

Rrso'ved^  That  we  believe  firmly,  did  the  founders  of  this  Re- 
public, that  'all  Governments  derive  th  if  just  powers  from  the  con- 
sent ot  the  governed  ' 

Resolved^  That  inasmuch  as  by  an  act  of  Congress  approved  July 
17th,  18G2,  the  President  w;;s  authorized  to  employ  in  the  military 
and  naval  service  of  the  United  States,  persons  of  African  descent; 
and  whereas,  the  same  act  declares  that  all  persons  so  ser\ing,  to^ 
gether  with  mother,  wife,  and  children  of  each,  'shall  forever  there- 
after be  freehand  whereas,  all  such  persons  proved  their  loyalty  and 
courage  on  many  a  welUouuht  battlefield,  and  thousands  sealed  their 
devotion  to  the  Union  with  their  blood,  we  are  of  the  opinion  that 
the  survivors  are  entitler!  to  all  the  rights,  privileges,  and  immunities 
that  are  all  other  person's  who  served  in  the  army  and  navy 

Resolved,  That  all  persons  employed  or  permitted  to  work  on  the 
premises  of  another,  without  a  written  contract,  are  under  an  implied 
contract-.,  and  are  therefore,  entitled  to  just  and  full  compensation  for 
all  services  rendered. 

Re^olvcd^  That  the  interests  of  our  race  can  be  represented  and 
defended  fully  only  by  our  own  chosen  delegates,  and  that  it  is  un- 
reasonable to  suppose  that  those  who  once  deprived  us  of  our  natu- 
ral rights  will  now  pursue  or  advocate  and  sustain  a  policy  com'* 
mensurate  to  our  necessities.  fe. 

Reso'ved..  That  we  claim  the  right,  under  the  rules  of  common 
Law,  to  be  tried,  for  all  ofi«nces,  by  a  j'lry  of  our  peers,  and  that 
the  white  man  is  not  our  peer,  so  long  as  leg  1  distinctions  are  made 
between  persons  on  account  of  color  or  race. 

Resolved^  That  every  instinct  of  our  nature  demands  equal  justice 


30 


without  any  equivocation  or  evision  of  natural  rights,  but  wc  do  not 
in  any  respect  de'^ire  social  cc[\JinVity  beyosid  the  transaotions  of  the 
s»rdinary  busiL.  ;,3  of  life,  iiia  -mnch  as  we  deem  our  own  race,  e;jual 
to  ail  our  ^7arlts  of  purelx^  social  enjoyment. 

licsolved^  That.  iuas-t;ueh  as  we  are  now  a  free  people  we  regrard 
the  action  of  certain  religious  bodies  in  trying  to  hold  fiom  us  chuicb 
property  which  was  purchased  andpaii  for  by  our  own  earnings 
while  we  were  in  slavery,  as  totally  unwarranted  by  any  principles 
of  honor  or  juBtice,  a  disgrace  to  the  religion  they  profess,  and  au 
outrage  upon  those  whom  they  pretend  \o  recognize  as  brothers  in 
the  same  faith  ;  that  we  claim  all  such  prope'/y  as  our  own,  and  that 
we  not  only  have  the  riu!)t  to  hold  and  control  it,  1:rut  the  right  to 
unite  in  brotherhood  with  any  christian  body  that  may,  in  its  teach- 
logs  and  sympathies,  accord  with  our  feelings. 

Resolv^d^  That  to  our  friends  in  the  North  who  are  g'vinp;  so  free- 
ly, and  are  sacrificing  ail  the  comforts  and  «nijoyments  of  hotne,  to 
come  among  us  aiid  assist  in  our  mental  and  moral  elevation  deserve 
our  sincerest  gratitude  and  most  hearty  svnipathy  atid  support,  and 
that  we  invoke  the  gracious  favor  and  protection  of  the  Almighty  to 
rest  upon  th5m. 

Resolved,  That  we  discountenance  vagrancy  and  pauperism  among 
our  people,  and  that  we  will  m;ike  it  our  especial  ba^iness  (o  aid  every 
one  to  obtain  employment  and  encourage  tLem  to  earn  a  competency 
by  honest  labor  and  j'idicious  economy. 

Resolved^  That  we  shall  support  such  publications,  and  patronize 
such  merchants  and  other  business  men  only  among  the  white  popu** 
lation  as  are  our  true  friends— who  sympathize  with  us  in  all  our 
difficulties,  and  who  will  a'  all  times  maintain  our  rijzhts,  not  because 
we  are  colored,  but  because  the  principles  of  ju-^tice  are  eternal, 
and  are  by  the  God  of  nature  \ouchgLifjd  alike  to  every  human 
creature. 

Resolved^  That  we  deem  it  the  duty  of  the  Government  to  dispose 
of  any  lands  it  may  own  to  the  freea  people,  at  such  rates,  and  upon 
such  terms,  as  will  enable  them  to  pay  for  them  without  embarras" 
ment ;  and  thus  to  secure  to  themselves  and  their  children  perma- 
nent  homes. 

Rcwlved^  That  all  that  has  been  produced  by  any  person  occupy- 
ing lands  under  the  authority  of  the  Unted  States  beloniri  to  t^e 
person  or  persons  producing  the  same,  and  no  person  or  persons  can 
legally  deprive  them  of  it  under  the  laws  of  the  United  States. 

Resolved,  That,  whereas,  the  slaves  in  certain  States  and  parts  of 
States  were  declared  to  be  free  by  Abraham  Lincoln,  President  of 
the  United  States,  issued  on  the  first  day  of  January,  a.  d.  1863  ; 
therefore,  they  are  justly  entitled  to  receive,  and  should  receive  com- 
pensation for  services  rendered  by  them  since  that  date. 

There  being  no  further  business  before  the  house,  the  convention 
adjourned  sine  die. 


31 


Thns  ended  the  most  remarkable  incident  in  the  history  of  the 
'Stafe  of  G  for^ia.  Who  one  year  aiio  only  would  have  thought  tht^t 
the  slavc'^  of  the  Empire  State,  in  the  short  space  of  ts-elve  months. 
wouiJ  havo  had  the  rii^ht  to  assemble  in  convention  and  deliberate 
likj  their  niast^^rs  that  such  and  such  are  their  rights  and  that  they' 
must  h  ive  th  m  accorded  to  them  if  peace  and  prosperity  was  the 
desire  in  the  future.  What  a  great  leveler  time  is  I  With  v^hat 
per  istent  determination  he  ov  rturns  our  fancied  bulwarks  of  right 
and  leaves  us  unprotected  to  bitter  circumstances  of  -Cate.  Where 
are  all  the  air  built  castles  of  slavery  a  year  ago?  Where  are  all 
the  b  iiiht  visions  f  golden  glory  and  merchantile  splendor  produced 
by  the  bare  idea  of  having  a  aoverament  whose  foundation  was  built 
upon  the  traffic  of  human  blood?  All  swept  away  like  the  baselesf? 
•  fabric  of  a  vision,  and  those  who  were  the  subjects  of  that  commer- 
cial traffi?,  and  whose  b  >nes  and  muscles  aided  in  the  perpetuation 
of  those  visions  of  fancied  glory,  stand  up  with  their  heads  above  the 
scum  of  pub'ic  prejudice  and  opinion  nnd  declare  in  uninisiakeable 
tones  that  tl)ey  are  men,  and  that  they  are  freemen.  The  truest 
philosophy,  and  the  wisest  policy  is  acc  'p*'.  the  situation  and  breast 
the  storis  with  a  determination  that  good  sha  1  yet  be  produced  out 
of  seem:iig  ruin.  VVe  commend  to  every  honrst  heart  and  pure  mind 
to  consider  the  clsi  ns  of  these  people  and  give  them  a  patient  hearing. 


32 


Constltufion  of  the  Georgia  Equal 
Iliglits  Association. 

PREAMBLE. 

"We,  tho  friends  nf  impartial  justice  in  Georgia,  in  Convention 
assembled,  feeling  that  the  time  has  come  when  we  should  unite  to 
advance  the  cause  we  advocate,  do  form  ourselves  into  an  Association, 
for  the  purpose,  among  other  things,  of  assisting  the  destitute  and 
improving  those  who  need  our  assistance.  Our  motto  shall  be, 
'  '-'eace  and  Good  Will  to  AU  Men.'  The  object  of  the  Association 
shall  be  to  secure  for  every  citizen,  without  regard  to  race,  descent 
or  color,  equal  political  rights.  To  secure  this  object  we  will  labor 
peaceably,  but  earnestly. 

ARTICLE  1. 

NAME. 

This  Association  shall  be  known  as  The  Georgia  JEqual  Rights 
Association. 

ARTICLE  II. 

OFFICERS. 

The  officers  of  this  Association  shall  be  a  President,  one  Vice- 
President  from  each  county,  Recording  Secretary,  Corresponding 
Secretary,  Chaplain,  Treasurer,  and  such  Committets  as  the  Associ- 
ation shall  elect. 


ARTICLE  III. 

ELECTION  OF  OFFICE. 

The  officers,  eliosen  by  tins  Association,  shall  b'^  ole'^tcd  by  ballot  afc 
the  ieyular  meeting  in  03tober,  and  remain  in  f^fficf)  three  years, 
providing,  however,  that  the  first  election  shall  take  plase  in  Janu- 
ary 1866,  and  the  second  in  October  1868.  All  officers  are  to  con- 
tinue in  office  until  their  places  are  filled.  Vacancies  may  be  filled 
at  any  of  the  regular  meetilDg. 

ARTICLE  IV. 

DUTIES    OF  OFFICERS. 

Sec.  1.  It  shall  be  the  duty  of  the  president  to  preside  at  all  meet- 
ings of  the  Association  and  Council 

2.  Ho  shall  appoint  all  committees  who  are  not  elected  by  the 
Association  or  Couiicil 

3  He  shall  establish  an  office  and  give  his  personal  attention  to  all 
matters,  that  may  advance  the  interest  of  the  association  or  the  cause 
which  it  advocates. 

4.  He  shall  nominate  to  the  Council  such  officers  as  they  are  au-» 
thorized  to  elect,  and,  if  a  person  nominated  shall  be  rejected  by  the 
Council,  it  shait  be  his  duty  to  nominate  another  person,  and  continue 
to  nominate  until  a  choice  is  made. 

5.  It  shall  be  his  duty  to  see  that  all  officers  of  this  Assocition 
faithfully  perform  the' duties,  assigned  them,  aud,  for  bad  conduct, 
he  may  suspend  an  officer,  providing  two  thirds  of  the  Council  con- 
cur therein. 

6.  Whenever  ho  shall  think  proper  to  suspend  an  officer,  he  shall 
immedia<-eiy  order  the  cfficer.  to  deliver  to  him  all  books,  papers  or 
other  property,  bi^longiog  to  the  Association;  and  shall,  as  soon  as 
practicable,  call  a  meeting  of  the  Council,  and  if  two  thirds  of  the 
Council  approve  of  the  action  of  the  President,  the  officer  shall  be 
suspended  until  the  next  meeting  of  the  Association. 

7.  He  shall  fill  the  vacancy  until  the  Council  have  decided  the 
matter. 

8.  He  shall  sign  orders  ^or  the  Treasurer  to  pay  money,  voted  by 
the  Council  or  the  State-  Association  and  none  others,  unless  specially 
authorized  to  do  so  by  the  Council  or  Stato  x\ssociation. 

9.  He  shall  call  a  meeting  of  the  Council,  whenever,  in  his  opins 
ion,  the  good  of  the  cause  ciemacds,  and  shall  transact  any  business, 
not  in  coTiflicfc  with  the  constiiutiun,  which. iie  shall  instructed  by  the 
State  Association  or  the  Council  to  transact,  or  that  he  may  consider 
necessary  for  the  good  of  the  ca-^se. 

Par.  2.  It 'shall  be  -the  duty  of  one  of  the  Vice  Presidents,  designa- 
ted by  the  Council,  when  the  State  Association  is  -tot  in  session,  to 
perform  the  duties  of  the  President,  when,  for  any  cause,  he  is  unable 
to  perform  them. 

Par.  3.  It  shall  be  the  duty  .of  the  recording  "Secretary  to  keep  a 
correct  and  impartial  record  of  ail  the  proceedings  of  the  Associa- 
3 


iion,  and,  t'^  attpnd  to  any  bnsiness  that  tlie  Association  may  d'lreH. 
Par.  4  The  (  or.  e^pouding  S  ^eiftary  shall  coiwlucr  the  correspond 

dence  of  the  Assoc  ation  and  Council,  uudtr  tae  direction  of  tho 

President- 
Par.  5.  The  Chaplain  shall  cpeu  all  the  meetings  of  the  Associa^ 

tion  with  prayer. 

Par.  6.  The  Treasurer  shall  be  elected  by  the  Council,  and  may 

be  removed  by  the  .-a.ne,  upon  the  recommet  dation  of  the  President, 

whenever,  in  his  opinion,  the  Treasurer  shall  not  laitht'ully  perform 

his  duties. 

He  shall  have  charge  of  all  money  or  ot' er  property,  belonging  to- 
the  Association,  and  shall  give  to  ibe  ^*resident  a  bond  in  such  sum 
as  the  Council  may  require,  for  the  faithful  discharge  of  his  duties. 

He  shall  pay  out  no  ujoney,  expect  upon  order,  approved  by  the 
Piesideiitand  signed  by  the  Societar)^  of  the  Q^)uucil. 

He  shall  invest  tlie  money  in  his  hauus  in  'such  manner  as  the 
Council  may  direct. 

ARTICLE  V. 

MEMBERS. 

Sec.  1.  The  meirbers  of  this  Association  shall  be  elected  by  the 
County  Association 

2.  Each  County  Associntion  shall  ^e  entitled  to  one  representa- 
tive for  each  one  huiidred  members,  atid  one  'or  u  fraction  over  fift)% 
including  the  meuibers  of  the  Subordinate  Associations. 

3.  At  the  fi'fct  election  of  n  preset. tativts,  one  third  shall  be  elect- 
ed for  three  years,  one  third  tor  two  years,  and  one  third  for  one 
year.  At  all  subsequent  elections,  otie  third  of  the  representatives 
shall  be  elected  annually  and  remain  meuibers  of  this  Association 
three  y  ars. 

4.  The  m^mbera  of  the  Convention  which  forms  this  Constitution 
and  the  (ifS^era  elect  df  the  Association  sliall '  e  honorary  members  of 
the  same  atid  fchall  remain  p'.rinanent  membi  rs  and  bo  entitled  to 
all  the  rights  and  privileges  of  oti:er  members. 

5.  1  he  members  shall  be  elected  at  the  first  regular  meeting  in 
January  In  case  of  av;ietncy,  a  representative  shail  be  elected  as 
soon  as  practicable  to  fi  I  the  um  xpiied  term  of  such  member. 

6.  No  peraon  shall  bo  a  member  of  this  Association  utider  the  age 
of  twenty-one  years, 

ARTICLE  IV. 

COUNCIL. 

Sec.  1.  The  President  and  Vice  President  shall  constitute  a  counw 
cil  to  attend  to  such  business  as  is  de!e^;ated  to  them  by  this  ( 'On 
Btitution  or  which  the  State  Association  may  instruct  th  m  to  perform. 

Sec.  2  They  shail  elect  annually  a  delegate  to  congress,  (until  the 
right  of  sufi"rage  shall  be  given  to  all  men  wirhuut  regard  to  race  Qr 
wtor.)  who  shall  be  uomioatod  by  tiw  President. 


3.  If  they  shall  not  elect  the  first  person  nominated  by  the  Presi-^ 
den^,  they  *-~hall  continue  to  ballot  for  a  person  nominated  by  him, 
uijJil  a  choice  is  nia-^.e. 

4.  'i  he  delegnte  to  Conerpss  will  be  elected  in  October.  In  case 
of  a  vacency,  a  delegate  shall  be  elected  as  soon  as  practicable,  to  fill 
the  same. 

5.  The  council  shall  be  called  together  by  the  President  whenever, 
in  his  opin'on,  this  is  necessary,  and  shall  be  empowered  to  transact 
any  business  not  in  coriflict  with  the  Constitution". 

6.  They  shall  decido  what  compensation  each  ofiS.cer  shall  receive. 
Sec.  7  When  an  officer  has  besn  suspended  by  the  Council,  they 

shall  fill  the  vacancy  until  the  State  Association  shall  take  action  ia 
regard  to  it. 

8.  They  shall  elect  a  Secretary  who  shall  act  as  private  Secretary 
to  the  Preside  nt,  and  perform  such  duties  as  the  Council  or  Presi- 
dent n)ay  direct. 

9.  The  Secretary  of  the  Council  shall  remain  in  office  during  the 
pleasure  of  the  Council. 

10.  The  Council  may,  by  a  two  thirds  vote,  suspend  the  President 
whenever  he  shall  violate  this  constitution,  iu  which  case,  tht'y  shall 
immediately  call  a  meeting  of  the  8tate  Association,  and,  if  two 
thirds  of  th'^  Ass<  ci-jtion  approve  of  the  action  of  the  Council,  the 
Prefident  shall  be  expelled  from  cffice. 

11.  A  majority  of  the  Council  shall  constitute  a  quorum  for  the 
transaction  of  business. 

ARTICLE  Vir. 
Sec.  1.  The  State  Association  shall  meet  annually,  in  the  month 
of  October. 

2.  The  President  or  Council  may  call  an  extra  meeting  of  the  As^ 
sociation  when  they  consider  it  necessary. 

a:^ticle  viii. 

BY  LAWS. 

This  Association  may  make  any  By  Laws,  not  inconsistent  with 
this  Constitution. 

ARTICLE  IX. 

COUNTY  AND  SUBORDINATE  ASSOCrATION. 

This  As'jociation  may  orj;anizvi  county  and  subordinate  Associations, 
at  such  places  and  under  such  regulations  as  it  may  deem  proper. 

ARTICLE  X. 

CONSTIUTION. 

This  constitution  may  bo  altered  or  amended,  at  any  regular  meet- 
ing of  this  Association,  by  a  two  thirds  vote,  providing  that  notice 
shall  be  g  ven  in  writ  ug,  by  the  member  submifing  an  amendment, 
ati  least  iwentyHfour  kours  before  a<?tioii  shall  bj  takeo. 


36 


Constitution  ©f  Comity  W.qiml  Miglits 
AssOfiatlO'O. 

PREAMBLE. 

We,  the  friends  of  Impartial  Justice,  believing  that  in  union  there 
is  strength,  do  organize  ourselves  into  an  Association  to  secure  for 
all;  1st,  equal  political  righfs ;  2d,  assistance  for  the  destitute ;  and 
3d,  the  education  and  elevation  of  the  people. 

AUTICLE  I. 

THE  NAME. 

The  name  of  this  Association  shall  be  the 
Equal  Bights  Association. 

ARTICLE  IL 

OFFICERS. 

The  officers  of  the  Association  shall  be  a  President,  a  Vice  Presi?< 
dent,  a  Secretary,  a  Treasurer,  a  Ch-plain,  an  Examining  Committee 
of  three,  an  Executive  Committee  of  five,  and  a' fiuauciai  Committee 
of  six. 

ARTICLE  III. 
The  President,  Vice  Pre.sident,  Secretary,  Treasurer  and  Chaplain 
shall  be  filected  by  ballot  annually,  at  the  first  meeting  in  January, 
All  the  committees  shall  be  filed  by  the  President,  on  the  night  of  his 
election,  or  so  soon  after  as  may  be  practicable  Ail  officers  are  to 
continue  until- their  places  are  filled,  Vacancies  may  h<i  filled  at  any 
of  the  regular  meetings. 

ARTICLE  IV. 

DUTIES  OF  OFFICERS. 

Sec.  1.  It  shall  be  the  duty  of  the  President  to  preside  at  all 
meetings,  to  call  an  extra  meeting  whenever  ht-  may  deem  it  advisable 
or  upon  the  request  of  five  members,  to  initiate  new  niembers,  and  to 
perform  all  duties  that  may  devolve  upon  him  by  the  Constitution  and 
(By  Laws.) 

2.  It  shall  be  the  duty  of  the  Vice  President,  in  the  absence  of 
-  ,    the  President  to  perform  bis  dutie?. 

3.  It  shall  be  the  duty  of  the  8ccrctn;'y  to  keep  a  truc  nnd  impar- 
tial record  of  the  doings  of  the  AsEOciatiun,  aud  in  the  absence  of 


County 


37 


the  President  and  Vice  President  to  call  cxtrA  meetings  of  the  As- 
sociation by  the  request  of  five  members,  and  attend  to  such  other 
duties  as  the  Association  may  direct. 

4.  It  shall  be  the  duty  of  the  Treasurer  to  take  charge  of  and 
safely  keep  all  monies  and  other  property  entrusted  to  him  by  the  As- 
sociation, and  pay  out  the  same  only  upon  a  requisition  drawn  accord- 
ing to  a  vote  of  the  Association,  anc  signed  by  the  President  and  Sec- 
retary. He  shall  report  once  a  quarter,  and  as  much  oitener  as  the 
Society  may  direct.  He  shall  give  to  the  President  a  bond  in  such 
sum  as  the  Association  may  require  for  the  faithful  performance  of 
his  duties. 

5.  The  Chaplain  shall  open  all  the  meeting  with  prayer. 

6.  The  Executive  Committee  shall  faithfully  attend  t(s  all  duties 
imposed  in  them  from  time  to  time,  mEiking  a  report  when  called  upon. 

7.  Ii  shsiU  be  the  duty  of  the  examining  committoe  carefully  to 
examine  all  propositions  for  membersuip  to  the  Association  and  when 
received  'hy  a  constitutional  vote,  to  examine  the  candidate  before 
iiaitiated,  and  report  to  the  President  upon  the  same. 

8.  It  shall  be  the  duty  of  the  Financial  «Oommittee  to  make  all 
necessary  arrangements  for  furnishing  the  Association  with  needed 
funds,  and  to  perform  such  other  duties  as  the  Society  may  require 
of  them. 

ARTICLE  y. 

MEMBERS. 

Sec.  1.  All  persons  who  are  members  of  the  State  Association 
from  this  county  shall  be  members  of  the  couuty  Association,  having 
all  the  privileges  of  other  members  excepting  the 'privilege  to  vote. 

2.  The  President  and  Vice  President  of  each  Subordinate  Associa- 
tion in  this  countj,  and  Ilepreseutatives constitutionally  elected  from 
the  same  shall  be  members  of  the  county  Asso3iation. 

AETICLE  VI, 

REPRESENTATIVES. 

This  Association  shall  elect© represectatives  as  provided  in  the 
constitution  of  the  State  Asscciation. 

AKTICLE  VII. 
•  If  there  is  but  one  Association  in  a  county  it  shail  have  the  pow- 
ers, and  perform  the  duties  conferred  upon  the  county  and  Subordin^ 
ate  Associations 

ARTICLE  VIIL 

BY  LAWS. 

This  Association  is  anthorized  to  make  any  By  Laws  not  inconjQict 
with  the  State  Association. 

ARTICLE  IX, 
The  meetings  of  this  Association  may  be  public  or  private. 


38 


ARTICLE  X. 

The  members  of  one  County  Association  shall  have  the  privilege 
attending  meetings  ot  all  County  Associations/ 


CoMstitwtiofi  of  Subordinate  Equal 
Mlglits  Association. 

PREAMBLE. 

We,  the  friends  of  impartial  justice,  believing  that  in  union  there 
is  strength,  do  organize  ourst;lves  into  an  Association  to  secure 
for  all :  1st,  equal  political  rights ;  iid,  assistance  for  the  desti- 
tute ;  and  3d,  the  education  and  elevation  of  the  people. 

ARTICLG  L 

THE  NAME. 

The  name  of  this  Association  shall  be  the  Equal  Rights 
Association  of  County,  No. 

ARTICLE  n. 

OFFICERS. 

The  ojEcers  of  the  Association  shall  be  a  President,  a  Vice  Presit 
dent,  a  Secretary,  a  Treasurer,  a  Chanlain,  an  Examining  Committee 
of  three,  an  Executive  Committee  ot  nve,  and  a  Einancial  Committee 
of  six. 

ARTICLE  in. 
The  President,  Vice  President,  [Secretary,  Treasurer,  and  Chaplain 
shall  be  elected  by  ballot  annually,  at  the  fiist  meeting  in  January. 
All  the  committees  shall  be  filled  by  the  President  on  the  night  of 
his  election,  or  so  boon  after  a^  may  bo  practicable.  All  ofl&cers  are 
to  continue  until  their  places  are  fihed.  Vacancies  may  be  filled  at 
any  of  the  regular  meetings. 

ARTICLE  IV. 

DUTIES  OF  0EF1CEE13. 

Sec.  1.  It  shall  be  the  duty  of  the  President  to  preside  at  all 
meetings ;  to  call  an  extra  meeting  whenever  he  may  deem  it  advia- 


39 

able,  or  upon  the  request  of  five  members,  to  iniiiate  new  members, 
and  to  perform  all  duties  that  may  tleVijlve  upon  hira  bj  the  Consti- 
turion  and  By  Laws 

2.  It  shall  ha  the  duty  of  the  Vice  President,  in  the  absence  of 
the  President,  to  perform  his  du*ies. 

3.  it  shall  be  the  duty  tif  the  Secretary  to  keep  a  true  and  im- 
partial record  of  the  doings  of  the  Association,  and  in  the  absence  of 
the  President  and  Vice  President  to  call  extra  meetings  of  the  Asso- 
eiatioh  h\  the  rrquest  of  five  members,  and  attend  to  such  other 
duties  as  the  Association  may  direct. 

4.  It  shall  be  the  duty  of  the  Treasurer  to  take  charge  of,  and  safely 
keep,  all  monies  and  other  property  intrusted  to  hira  by  the  Associa- 
tion, and  pjiy  out  :he  same  only  upon  a  requisition  drawn  according 
to  the  vote  of  the  Association  and  signed  by  the  President  and 
Secretary.  He  shall  report  once  a  quarter,  and  as  much  oftener  as 
the  society  may  direct.  He  shall  give  to  the  President  a  bond  in 
such  sum  as  the  Association  may  require  for  the  faithful  performance 
of  his  duties, 

5.  The  Chaplain  shall  open  all  the  meetings  with  prayer. 

6  The  Executive  Committee  shall  faithfully  attend  to  all  duties 
imposed  on  them  from  time  to  time,  making  a  report  when  called  upon. 

7.  It  shall  be  the  duty  of  the  Examining  Committee  carefully  to 
examine  all  proposition  s  for  membership  to  the  Afesociation,  and 
when  received  by  a  Con>titution;il  vote  to  examine  candidates  before 
initiated,  and  report  to  the  President  upon  the  same. 

'8  It  shall  be  the  duty  uf  the  Financial  Committee  to  make  all 
necessary  arrangements  for  furnishing  the  Association  with  needed 
funds,  and  shall  perform  such  other  duties  as  the  society  may  require 
of  them. 

ARTICLE  V. 

MEMBtRSHIP. 

Sec.  1st.  All  persons  who  desire  to  become  members  of  this  Asso- 
ciation shall  first  be  proposed  by  a  member  in  writing,  stating  name^ 
age,  business  and  residence. 

2.  The  proposition  shall  be  handed  to  the  Examining  Committee, 
who  shall  report  upon  ;he  same  as  soon  as  practicable,  either  approv-* 
iog  or  disapproving. 

3.  After  the  committee  have  reported,  a  ballot  shall  be  taken  and 
if  a  majority  vote  in  favor  of  the  candidate  he  shall  be  declared  elected. 

4.  Alter  the  candidate  has  been  elected  he  shall  be  initiated  as 
soon  as  rracticablo. 

5  The  candidates  presenting  themselves  in  the  ante  room,  the  fol- 
lowing quesiions  shall  be  proposed  to  them  by  the  Examining  Oom« 
mittee :  Will  you  di»  all  in  your  power  to  alleviate  the  wants  of  the 
destitute,  and  to  secure  to  all  persons  equal  political  rights,  and  also 
deftud  and  protect  the  Constitution  and  laws  of  the  United  States? 

If  the  Candidate  shall  angwer  each  of  the  aboVB  questions  in  the 


40 


affiriLative,  he  shall  be  coiuluctcd  into  the  room  of  the  AssoclatioaJ)y 
the  chairman  of  the  Examining  Committee,  and  b?  introduced  to  the 
President ;  after  which,  the  candidate  shall  sign  the  Constitution  and 
pay  a  fee  of  one  dollar,  and  be  declared  a  member  of  this  x\.ss  iciation. 

ARTICLE  IV. 

REPRESENTATIVES. 

When  two  or  more  Subordinate  Associations  shall  have  been  or- 
ganized in  any  county,  they  shall  elect  one  representative  for  every 
twenty  fivo  members,  who,  together  with  the  President  and  Vice 
President,  shall  form  a  County  x\bSociation. 

ARTICLE  Yll. 

This  Association  is  authorized  to  make  any  By-Laws  not  in 
conflict  with  the  State  or  County  Associations. 

ARTICLE  VIIL 

The  meetings  of  this  Association  may  be  public  or  private, 

ARTICLE  IX. 

The  members  of  one  Subordinate  Association  shall  have  the 
privilege  of  attending  the  meetings  of  all  Subordinate  Associations, 

ARTICLE  X. 

The  Treasurer  of  this  xVssociation  shall  pay  into  the  Treasury  of 
the  State  xissociation,  one  dolUir  for  each  of  its  members  and  take  a 
receipt  for  the  same  signed  by  the  President  of  the  Stato 
Association,  and  Secretary  of  the  Council. 


1>  R  O  C  E  E  1)  I  N  G  S 

c  ®  1 1  G  i  L 

OP  t6e 

Georgia  E<|ual  Rights  Association.- 

Assembled   at  Augusta^  Ga,  April  Uh^  1866. 

CONTAINING  THE 

ADDEESS  OF  THE  PRESIDENT, 

CAPTAIN  J.    E,  BRYANTy 

AND 

4 

ftES^OIiUTIOXS  ADOPTED  BY  THE  COtTXCIIi. 

Pvhlished  by  order  of  the  Council, 

Printed  at  the  office  of  the  loyal  georgia^T/  * 

(Corner  Jackson  &  EUis  Str«eti,) 
AUGUSTA,     a  A. 

1866, 


Fa®GiiEii©s  m  fE 
mm&i  m  m 

1.  E.  A« 

•  FIRST  DAY. 

AvgHSta,  Ca^  Richmonnd  County^  April  \th^  1866. 

A  called  meeting  of  the  Council  of  Georgia  Equal  Rights  Associa- 
tion met  at  the  office  of  the  Loyal  Greorgian.  The  meetin<;  was  called 
to  order  at  10  A.  M  by  Captain  J  E  Bryant,  President.  The  follow- 
ing counties  were  represented  : 

Richmond,  T  P  Beard. 

Greene,  E  C  Powell. 

Wilks,  H  M  Nelson. 

Morgan,  L  McAlester, 

Warren,  W  Harris. 
After  prayer  by  Rev  Lewis  Smith  of  Bibb  county,  the  President 
read  the  following  aadress: 

Gentlemen  of  the  Council  of  the  Georgia  Equal  Rights  Associa^ 
tion  : 


You  have  been  called  together  to  transact  important  business.  The 
constitution  of  your  society  authorizes  you  to  elect  a  delegate  to  Con** 
gress.  It  was  thought  best  at  your  first  session  to  postpone  any  ac* 
tion  upon  this,  and  you  will  now  decide  whether  such  election  is  for 
the  interest  of  the  cause.  I  am  fully  convinced  that  you  realize?  the 
importance  of  sending  a  colored  man  to  Washington,  as  soon  as  prac- 
ticable, to  advocate  the  cause  of  equal  rights  with  the  President  and 
members  of  Congress,  whenever  he  can  assist  you  by  so  doing.  There 


are  in  this  State  nearly  500,000  colored  persons:  they  arc  taxed  ta 
support  a  Government  which  denies  to  them  representation.  The 
i?hite  citizens  of  the  State  have  sent  distinguished  men  to  represent 
their  interests,  and  at  this  time,  one  of  the  ablest  statesmen  of  the 
South  is  in  Washington  laboring  in  their  behalf.  It  is  but  reason- 
able to  suppose  that  these  men  will  fail  to  represent  your  interests. 
True  they  are  honorable,  high><minded  men;  men  who  would  scorn 
to  do  a  mean  act;  but  they  have  known  you  as  slaves  and  they  are 
not  willing  to  grant  you  equal  rights.  They  are  honest  in  the  belief 
that  it  would  not  be  for  the  interests  of  tne  State  to  grant  you  these 
rights  I  am  aware  that  it  will  b?  a  difficult  task  to  overcome  this 
prejudice.  You  will  never  do  it  if  you  'lie  supinely  upon  your  lacks 
and  hug  the  delusive  phantom  of  I  ope  until  your  enemies  have  bound 
you  hand  and  foot.'  They  will  never  respect  you  if  you  act  as  slaves 
DOW  that  you  are  free  men.  But  if  you  manfully  demand  your 
rights,  and  struggle  bravely  to  obtain  them,  you  will  be  sussessful. 
True  you  will  be  stoutly  apposed,  and  desperate  efforts  will  be  made 
to  defeat  you,  but  if  you  persist  in  the  struggle  you  will  be  at  length 
victorious. 

I  need  not  say  fchat  you  should  labor  peaceably;  that  you  should 
give  no  one  an  opportunity  to  point  to  acts  of  lawlessness  con  ijiit- 
ted  by  your  race  as  an  excuse  for  withholding  equal  rights.  Your 
past  good  conduct  is  a  guarntec  that  you  will  be  law-abiding  citizens 
in  the  future,  unless  driven  to  madness  by  acts  of  tyrany. 

You  must  pay  a  tax  to  support  a  Government  that  denies  to  you 
representation;  you  can  not  prevent  it  if  you  would,  and  if  you  wish, 
to  be  represented  you  must  tax  yourselves.  To  enable  you  to  aa 
this  you  have  formed  an  Association.  I  trust  you  will  labor  zeal- 
ously to  increse  the  membership  of  this  As:  sciation  until  it  shall 
embrace  the  entire  State,  and  until  thousands  are  united,  laboring  to 
secure  for  every  one,  without  regard  to  race  or  color,  equal  riiihts. 

I  desire  to  call  your  attention  to  the  Loyal  Georgian,  and  to  the 
importance  of  sustaining  it.  You  are  a^yare  that  this  paper  was 
established  by  the  Union  League  of  August,  and  that  the  State  As.-s 
sociation  decid<^d  to  assume  its  publicatiori  and  pay  the  debts  con— ■ 
tracted  for  the  paper  by  the  League,  fhat  you  were  directed  to  take 
c'-arge  of  and  publish  it,  find  that  you  placed  it  in  the  hands  of  a- 
sub  committee  consisting  of  Houston  of  Savannafi,  Finch  of  Athens,. 
Beard  of  Au^  usta,  and  myself  I  was  requested  by  this  sub-com- 
mittee to  take  char '6  of  and  publi.sh  the  paper. 

I  found  that  the  debt  assumed  by  the  Association  amounted  to 
S370  and  that  there  was  no  money  in  the  Treasury.  There  was  no 
Editor,  and  the  foreman  of  the  printing  (jffice,  who  had  performed 
the  duties  of  Kditor  and  Publisher,  was  not  a  suitable  man  for  the 
position.  I  therefore  decided  to  discharge  him,  and  employ  E,ev  H  F 
Edcs  as  Editor,  and  Mr  Lauder,  as  foreman  in  the  *  ffice. 

The  reee-pts  have  not  been  sufficient  to  support  the  paper,  and  I 
liiave  been  obliged  to  borrow  money  for  that  purpose.    1  have  thus 


5 

borrowed  $541j08.    I  present  herewith  the  financial  report  of  the 

Agent,  Mr  Bef»rd  Becoming  satisfied  that  unless  a  powerful  effort 
was  tJiade  by  ^the  friends  of  the  paper,  we  should  be  obliged  lo  sus- 
pend its  publication,  I  decided  to  call  a  meeting  of  the  council  and 
lay  the  subject  before  it. 

I  have  requested  Captain  C  H  Prince,  Cashier  of  the  Au  rusta 
Freedmen's  Saving's  Bank  to  assist  Mr  Thomas  P  Beard,  as  finan- 
cial Agent,  and  he  has  consented  to  do  so.  Rev  H  M  Turner  was 
invited  to  assist  Mr  Edes  in  the  editorial  management  of  the  paper. 
This  was  done  to  carry  out  a  plan  which  I  had  matured  and  which 
I  now  submit  to  you  It  is  to  unite  the  white  and  colored  friends  of 
equal  rights,  thereby  securing  the  bendit  of  their  joint  efforts 

Mr  P]des  and  Mr  Turner  are  editors,  one  a  white  and  one  a  color- 
ed man,  Mr  Prince  and  Mr  Beard  arc  financial  Agents;  one  a 
white  and  one  a  colored  man.  You  will  fully  understand  the  impor* 
tance  of  this  plan,  when  you  consider  the  condition  cf  your  race; 
that  it  is  deplorable,  and  that  you  are  all  laboring  to  secure  justice  for 
all.  Although  you  are  now  free,  citizens  of  the  United  S  ates,  yet 
you  are  deprived  of  most  of  the  rights  that  are  dear  to  freemen  You 
are  taxed  to  support  the  Government;  you  have  no  voice  in  that 
Governnient;  railroad  companies  charge  yau  the  same  fare  that  they 
do  white  passengers,  yet  you  are  obliged  to  ride  in  filthy  cars  where 
low  white  men  smoke,  swear,  and  insult  your  wives  and  daughters, 
although  you  may  have  wealth,  and  your  wives  and  daughters  may  be 
educated  and  refined;  public  schools  are  closed  against  your  chil^- 
dren  ;  your  wives  and  daughters  are  openly  insulted;  your  people  are 
frequently  assaulted  and  killed  Do  you  wish  to  have  the  rights  of 
freemen  ?  Do  you  wish  that  your  persons  and  property  shall  be  fully 
protected?  I  know  that  you  do  The  important  question  is,  how 
will  you  secure  these  rights?  I  answer  you  mutt  work,  any  you  must 
have  the  assistance  of  all  the  friends  of  justice.  Whfte  men  gave  . 
you  freeuom,  and  that  they  will  assist  you  to  secure  the  blessings  of 
libeity.  My  plan  is  theretoro  to  unite  your  efi'orts  with  theirs,  for 
they  can  exert  an  influence  with  men  in  authority  at  the  North,  while 
you  can  labor  more  effectually  with  your  own  people. 

The  Association,  at  its  lats  session,  elected  a  Vice  President  for 
each  county,  represented  in  the  convention,  with  the  exception  of 
B'bb  county.  It  was  left  to  the  friends  of  equal  rights  in  that  coun 
ty  to  elect  a  Vice  President.  I  present  herewith  a  comniuication 
from  Moses  Pollock  and  others  stating  that  Lewis  Smith  ©f  Macon, 
has  been  elected  Vice-President  of  Bibb  county.  I  also  present  to 
you  a  letter  Irora  "W  D  Banks,  of  Macon,  claiming  that  he  is  the 
legal  Vic^-President  of  Bibb  county,  I  submit  the  whole  subject  to 
you  for  your  considerat^n. 

I  vihiited  Savannah  in  Febiuary,  for  the  purpose  of  assisting  in 
or^'anizing  an  Association  in  that  city.  I  ibund  that  the  friends 
were  mucli  divided,  and,  after  laboring  for  more  than  a  week,  I  was 
obliged  to  return  without  accomplishing  my  object. 


6 


I  have  received  a  communication  from  the  Union  League  of  Macon, 
asking  that  they  may  be  allowed  to  unite  with  ihe  E(jual  Rights 
Association,  and  retain  their  present  oriianization  aiM  constitution. 
I  would  recommend  that  they  be  invited  to  unite  with  us,  retaining 
their  organization,  providing  they  adopt  the  constitution  of  Subordi- 
nate Associations,  with  the  privilege  of  retaining  so  much  of  their 
present  constitution  as  does  not  conflict  with  the  constitution  of 
Subordinate  Associations. 

Associations  have  been  orginized  in  Bibb,  Barke,  Greene  and  R'ch 
mond  counties.  Associations  have  been  formed  in  Richmond  county, 
and  one  in  each  of  the  other  counties  mertioned.  I  have  received 
from  these  Associations  $320j^0.  I  have  expended  $269,21  and  now 
have  on  hand  $*'1,69.  1  subc  it  my  book-^  to  you  for  inspection,  and 
also  the  books  of  Mr  Beard,  general  Agent.  I  would  suggest  that 
the  funds  belonging  to  the  paper,  be  kept  separate  from  those  of  the 
Assoc  ation,  and  that  Mr  Beard  be  appointed  Treasurer,  with  the 
understanding,  that  he  shall  give  a  bond  for  the  faithful  performance 
of  his  duty,  and  that  he  be  instructed  to  deposit  in  the  ]?reedmans 
Saving's  13ank  of  Augusta,  each  week,  the  money  remaining  on 
hand. 

It  is  your  constitutional  duty  to  decide  in  whst  sum  th^^ -Treasurer 
of  the  St  ite  Association  shall  give  a  bond  for  the  faithful  performance 
of  his  duties.  I  would  suggest  that  he  be  instructed  to  deposit  all 
funds  that  may  be  intrusted  to  him,  belonging  to  the  Association,  in 
the  Freedmen  s  Saving's  Bank  of  Augusta. 

The  most  important  business,  that  will  come  before  you,  will  be  to 
devise  ways  atid  means  for  sustaining  the  Loyal  Georgian,  the  organ 
of  our  Association.  1  have  with  much  difficulty  sustained  it  thus 
far,  and,  unless  you  assist  me  in  raising  funds,  we  shall  be  obliged  to 
suspen'd  its  publication.  I  have  loaned  money  to  the  paper  from  the 
Treasury  ot  the  Associa^i'^n,  and  have  borr(,wed  ujoney  upon  the 
credit  ot  the  Association.  I  was  obliged  to  do  this  or  suspend  its 
publication.  I  ask  that  you  will  freely  discu?s  this  whole  subj^'ct, 
and  give  me  instructions,  by  which  1  shall  in  future  be  governed.  In 
the  absence  of  instructions,  1  have  done  what  I  considered  for  the 
good  of  the  cause. 

Gentlemen:  I  expect  that  much  goodwill  result  from  your  de- 
liberatioiiS.  Important  interests  have  been  intrusted  to  you ;  thoU  ' 
sands  of  your  people  in  this  State  lo-.k  to  you  for  advice;  yours  is  a 
nob'e  work,  to  assist  io  clovating  your  ra^je,  a  race  that  has  b"en  op- 
pressed for  centuries  But  few  o'r  them  are  educ  ited;  but  few  have 
houses  or  lands;  families  have  heeu  separated  and  are  to  be  united. 
Your  work  will  be  to  encourage  education  ;  to  assist  in  uniting  fami- 
lies, long  sep:irattd,  and  in  providing  good  fsiiomes  for  them;  but  the 
great  work  btfore  you  is  to  assist  in  educating  your  people  and  in 
securiUii-  for  them  equal  rii^hts.  Northern  friends  are  assisting  you, 
and,  I  trust,  tho  day  is  not  far  distant,  when  you  will  have  Southern 
friends,  who  will  unite  in  this  ^oat  and  good  work.    To  enable  }0u 


lo  4o  this  it  is  absolutely  necessaTy  that  your  paper  be  sustain- 
led.  You  can  not  estimate  the  amount  of  good  that  may  be  accora^ 
plisheu  if  it  is  sustained.  If  you  love  your  race  do  not  allow  this 
paper  to  go  down. 

You  are  aware  that  there  exists  a  strong  and  deep  rooted  prejudice 
against  your  race  on  the  part  of  the  American  people.  This  is  not 
surprising,  when  you  consider  that  nearly  all  ot  your  race,  in  this 
country,  have  been  slaves,  and  that  slaves  have  been  despised  in  all 
ages,  and  that  the  race  that  is  held  in  that  conditioQ  is  necessarily 
degraded.  Bat  when  you  remember  that  yours  is  not  the  only  race 
that  has  been  enslaved;  that  perhaps  the  ancestors  of  your»late  mas- 
ters were  slaves;  that  the  Jews  have  in  modern  times  beea  despised 
as  much  as  you,  and  that  these  races  have  become  powerful,  wealthy 
and  respected,  you  should  take  courage.  Strive  to  overcome  all  diffi- 
culties, learn  what  is  necessary  to  be  done  to  elevate  and  improve 
your  people,  and  then  go  forward,  laboring  earnestly,  fearlessly  and 
prudently  to  accomplish  the  great  work  you  have  undertaken,  trusting 
in  God,  who  has  already  done  so  much  for  your  people. 

A  few  months  since,  we  were  told  that  you  woald  not  work,  unless 
you  were  compeHed  to  do  so,  but  we  always  replied*that  you  would 
work  if  fairly  paid  and  kindly  treated.  The  truth  of  this  assertion 
has  since  been  demonstrated  As  a  people,  it  is  now  admitted  that 
you  are  working  faithfully,  when  you  receive  justice. 

We  have  been  told  that  'Niggers'  could  not  be  educated;  but  it  is 
a  fact  that  has  been  deinoostrated,  uot  only  that  they  can  learn,  but 
that  they  learn  as  rapidly  as  white  children.  We  have  the  testimony 
of  distinguished  men  to  prove  this;  among  others,  that  of  General  0 
H  Howard,  a  young  man  t)f  learning,  and  a  teacher  of  experience. 
If  more  testimony  is  required,  it  can  be  obtained  by  visiting  the  colored 
schools  of  this  or  any  other  city  in  Georgia. 

It  is  Slid  that  'niggers'  have  no  business  to  send  a  man  to  Wash^ 
ington  to  represent  them  ;  that  it  will  'stir  up  bad  blood  ;'  that  'white 
men  will  be  offcuded'  &c.,  &c.  1  know  of  no  good  reason  why  color- 
ed men  have  not,  as  good  a  right  to  be  represented  in  Washington, 
as  white  meti;  and  if  'bad  blood'  is  sti-red  up  and  white  men  are  fool- 
ish enough  to  be  offended  thereat,  it  can  not  be  helped.  If  men  were 
deterred  from  doing  their  duty  because  bad  men  get  offended,  there 
would  be  no  reform  in  the  world.  Strive  always  to  do  rigtit;  be  in^ 
dustrious;  be  temperate;  be  peaceable ;  be  good,  law  abiding  citizens, 
but  do  all  in  your  power  to  secure  lor  your  people  equal  rights.  If 
men  complain,  say,  gentlemen  you  complain  because  you  are  taxed, 
and  representation  is  denied  you;  you  complain  bjcause  Congress 
refuses  to  recognize  your  State  Government;  you  complain  because 
your  professions  of  loyalty  are  uot  believed;  but  you  claim  the  right 
of  taxing  us  without  giving  us  representation;  you  refuse  to  recogn- 
»iz#our  right  to  citizenship,  yet  you  mast  admit  that  we  we^e  always 
loyal  and  obedient  to  laws  that  were  oppressive,  and,  now  if  you  will 
allow  'bad  blood'  to  bestirred  up,  and* will  be  offended,  because  we 


8 


are  lahoring  to  improve  our  people,  we  can  not  help  it,  but  we  do  not 
propose  to  cease  our  efforts  on  that  account  We  will  prove  to  you 
by  our  acts  that  we  are  laboring  as  earnestly  as  yourselves  to  prON 
mote  the  interests  of  our  State,  aod,  now  that  we  are  citizens,  we 
have  quite  as  good  a  right  to  our  opinions  as  you  have  to  your  own. 

You  predicted  that  we  would  rise  in  insumction,  but  we  did  not; 
you  predicted  that  we  would  not  work  unless,  compelled  so  to  do; 
but  we  do  work  without  compulsion.  Your  predictions  ha^'e  not 
been  fulfilled.  Allow  us  to  labjr  as  we  propose,  and  we  will  convince 
you,  not  only  that,  we  will  do  ro  injury  to  the  State,  but  that  we 
will,  by  in  proving  our  people,  greatly  promote  its  interest. 

The  following  committee  on  Credentals  was  appointed— Thomas  P 
Beard  of  Richmond,  E  C  Powell  of  Greene,  and  Wm  Harris  of 
Warren. 

They  subsequently  returned  and  presented  the  following  report 
which  was  received  and  adopted. 

We,,  the  committee  on  Credentals,  beg  leave  to  report  that  the 
predentalsof  Lewis  Smith,  claiming  to  have  boen  ejected  Vice  Presi-^ 
dent  of  Bibb  county,  were  presented  to  us.  After  a  careful  investi- 
gation of  the  case  oT  Mr  Smith,  we  find  that  at  the  late  meeting  of 
the  Equal  Rights  Convention,  Vice-Presidents  were  elected  from 
pach  county  represented  in  the  convention  excepting  Bibb  county. 
The  convention  being  unable  to  decide  who  should  be  elected  from 
that  county,  voted  that  the  friends  of  equal  rights  in  Bibb  county  be 
requested  to  elect  a  Vice  President  for  that  county.  We  fa  rther 
find  that  Lewis  Smith,  chairman  of  the  delegation  to  the  conven- 
tion, did.  after  his  return  to  Bibb  county,  issue  printed  notices  to 
the  colored  citizens  of  that  count}'-,  calling  upon  them  to  hold  an 
election  for  Vice  President;  the  notice  bein^  issued  nine  days  be- 
fore the  election;  and,  that  at  the  election,  Mr  Smith  was  elected  by 
one  thousand  and  seven  majority.  We  therefore  deciae  that  he  is, 
pDtitled  to  be  sworn  into  office  as  Vice-President  of  Bibb  county. 

E  G  Powell. 

Wm  Harris. 

T  P  Bearc. 

Mr  Smith  then  took  the  oath  of  office. 

Voted  that  S  Hyram  of  Elbert  county,  and  W  S  W  Sherman  of 
Dougherty^  be  invited  to  represent  their  countif^s;  and  that  A  Colby 
of  Greene  county  be  invited  to  represent  Taliaferro  county;  and  that 
they  have  the  privileges  of  other  members,  except  that  of  voting 

Vot>  d  that  Smith  of  Bibb,  Nelson  of  Wilkes,  and  Harris  of  War- 
ren, be  a  committee  to  audit  the  accounts  of  the  President  andFinan-. 
^ial  Agent.  i 

Votsd  to  elect  a  delerate  tocongr:^ss.  The  President  nopiinate* 
Bev  H  M  Turner,  who  was  iinaiiimously  elected,. 


On  motion  to  this  effect,  voted  that  the  council  approve  the  plan 
recommended  by  the  President  of  employin.o;  two  editors,  one  white 
and  one  colored  man;  also,  white  and  colored  Financial  Agents. 

Voted  to  appoint  a  committee  of  three  to  report  upon  the  salaries 
of  editors  and  financial  agents.  Smith  of  Bibb.  McAlester  of  Mor- 
gan, and  Powell  of  Greensboro  were  appointed. 

Voted  to  adjourn  at  half-past  three,  p.  m. 

AFTEKNOON  SESSION. 

The  meeting  being  called  to  order,  the  committee  on  Salaries  re- 
ported ihat  they  did  not  think  it  best  to  fix  the  salaries  at  this  meet- 
ine  of  the  council    Voted  to  receive  and  adopt  the  report. 

On  motion,  voted  that  the  President  be  permitted,  with  the  advice 
of  the  financial  agents  and  committee,  to  loan  to  the  officers  of  the 
Association  and  council,  and  those  connected  with  the  paper,  such 
gums  of  money  as  he  m>ay  think  advisable. 

On  motion,  voted  to  reconsider  the  vote  adopting  the  reportof  the 
committee  on  Salaries. 

Oil  motion,  voted  that  the  report  be  returned  to  the  committee 
with  instructions  to  c  )nsult  with  the  financial  agents  and  report 
again. 

On  motion,  voted  that  Mr  Thomas  P  Beard  be  the  Treasurer  fcr 
the  l^oyal  Georgian;  that  he  give  a  bond  in  the  sum  of  five  hun- 
dred dollars  for  the  faithful  performance  of  his  duties;  and  that  he 
deposit  each  week  in  the  Freedmen  s  Saving's  Bank,  of  xlugusta,  all 
money  iu  his  bauds  belonging  to  the  paper. 

On  motion,  voted  that  when  ten  or  more  oopies  of  the  paper  are 
sent  to  one  address  they  shall  be  furnished  for  $2  50  per  copy,  for 
one  year;  and  if  more  than  fifty  copies  are  sent  to  one  address  they 
shall  be  furnished  for  $2  00  per  Copy. 

Lewis  Smith,  Vice  President  of  Bibb  county,  informed  the  council 
that  the  U<iou  L'^ague  of  Macon  desired  to  join  the  Equal  Ptights 
Association,  and  retain  their  present  organization  and  constitution. 

On  motion  of  Nelson  of  Wilkes  county,  voted  that  the  Union 
League  of  Macon  be  invited  to  unite  with  the  Equal  Rights  Associa^ 
tion,  retaining  their  organization,  providing  they  adopt  the  constitu*i 
lion  of  the  Subordinate  Associations, 

On  motion,  voted  that  the  Union  League  of  Savannih  be  invited 
to  join  the  Equal  Bights  Association  upon  the  sai^  condition  as  the 
Unicn  League  of  Macon  is  invited  to  join. 

On  motion,  voted  that  a  committee  of  two  be  instructed  to  proceed 
to  Savannah  with  the  President,  and  to  endeavor  to  persua^le  the 
friends  of  equal  rights  in  that  city  to  unite  with  the  Equal  Rights 
A^soc  ation,  in  the  great  and  important  work  it  has  undertaken.  The 
President  appo'nted  Beard  of  B  ciimond,  and  Powell  ot  Greene. 

On  motion,  voted  that  if  the  subscriptiGns  and  donations  to  the 


10 


Loyal  Georgian  are  not  sufficient  to  sustain  it,  the  President  be 
authorized  to  loan  (o  the  Treasurer  of  the  paper,  money  from  the 
Treasury  of  the  State  Association,  and,  if  it  is  necessary,  that  he 
may  borrow  on  the  credit  of  the  Association,  and  that  the  notes  be 
signed  by  the  President  and  Secretary  of  the  council. 

On  motion  of  Colby  of  Taliaferro,  voted  that  the  Treasurer  of  the 
Equal  Ftights  Association  give  to  the  President  a  bond  in  the  sum 
of  ten  thousand  dollars  for  the  faithful  performance  of  his  duty,  and 
that  he  depo-it  all  money  in  his  hands  belongiug  to  the  Association 
in  the  Freedmen's  Savings  Bank  of  Augusta. 

SECOND  DAY. 

The  meeting  was  called  to  order  and  prayer  offered  by  Finch  of 
Athens.    Yesterday's  minutes  were  read,  corrected  and  approved. 

The  President  introduced  to  the  council.  Key  William  Finch,  of 
Athens,  Yice-Tresicent  of  Clari?  county 

On.  motion,  voted  that  Philip  Randal  of  Jasper,  and  Hall  Bolden 
of  Oglethorp  counties,  be  invited  to  represent  their  counties  in  the 
council. 

On  motion  of  Powell  of  Greene  county,  voted  to  divide  the  State 
into  districts  for  the  purpose  of  organizing  associations  in  the 
counties.  • 

Voted  that  the  District  of  Atlanta  c:)mprise  all  the  counties  in  the 
vicinity  of  Fulton,  not  in  either  of  the  other  districts;  that  the 
distr-ct  of  Athens  comprise  the  following  counties — Jackson,  Madi^ 
son,  Hall,  Banks,  Clarke,  Lumpkin,  Union,  Towns,  Raban,  White, 
Habersham,  Fiankliri. 

On  motion,  voted  that  the  district  of  Marietta  comprise  the  fol- 
lowing counties — Cobb,  Spaulding,  Floyd,  Cass,  Cherokee,  Gordoti^ 
Chattooga,  Walker,  Whitfield,  Murray,  Dade,  Catoosa  and  Polk. 

On  motion  of  Fiuch  of  Clarke,  voted  that  tfie  district  of  Wash- 
ington comprise  the  foUowing  counties — Wilkes,  Elberl  Hart,  Lin- 
coln, and  Oglethorp.  ' 

On  motion  of  jNelson  of  Wilkes,  voted  that  the  district  of  Green s-^ 
boro  comprise  the  following  counties — ^Greene,  Taliaferro,  Hancock, 
Washington  and  Putnam, 

On  motion  of  Colby  of  Talirferro,  voted  that  the  district  of  Wars 
ronton  c  )inprise  the  following  counties— Warren,  Glascock,  Jeffer--* 
son,  and  Columhrt^^ 

On  motion  of'^els^n  of  Wilkes,  voted  that  the  district  of  Au- 
gusta comprise  the  lolluwing  counties  —  Uichmoud,  Burke,  Scriven, 
Bullock,  Kmanu^;!,  Tatual. 

On  motion  of  Smith  of  Bibb,  voted  that  the  district  of  Savannah 
comprise  the  following  counties — Chatham,  Effingham,  Bryan, 
Liberty,  Mcintosh  Glynn,  Wayne,  Camden,  and  Thomas. 

On  motion  of  Beard  of  Richmond,  voted  that  the  district  of 
MacoD  comprise  the  following  counties —Bibb,  Jones,  Baldwin^ 


11 


Wilkinson,  Twijrss  Monroe,  Butts,  Spaiilding,  Pike,  Upson.  Craw- 
ford, Taylor,  HousroM,  MHC'>n,atid  Suoiter. 

Cn  motion  of  J^owell  of  Greece,  votod  that  the  district  of  Column 
bus  comprise  the  following  counties — Mascogco,  Harris,  .Meriwether,. 
Talbot,  Marion,  Chattahoochee,  Stewart,  Quitman,  Clay,  Randolph, 
Early,  and  Dcc:>tar. 

On  motion  of  Finch  of  Clark,  voted  that  the  district  of  x\lbany 
comprise  the  following  counties  — Dougherty,  Lee,  Worth,  Terell, 
Calhoun,  Baker,  Mitchell,  and  Miller. 

On  motion  of  Colby  of  Taliaf^^rro,  voted  that  the  district  of  Madi- 
son comprise  the  following  couutiefi  —  Morgan,  Newton,  Walton,  and 
Jasper, 

On  motion  of  Finch  of  Athens,  voted  that  the  President  be 
authorited  to  appoint  Deputy-Presidents  for  each  of  the  districts. 
The  following  persons  were  appointed  : 

Marieta  District  H  W  i'^triekland.  Deputy  President. 

Athens  district,  illiam  Finch,  Deputy  President 

Warrenton  district,  Wm  Harris  Deputy  President. 

Madison  district,  S  McAlester  Deputy  President. 

Greensboro  district,  E  C  Powell,  Deputy  President. 

AVashing'on  vii-<trict,  11  M  Nelson,  Deputy  President, 

Macou  district,  Lewis  Smith,  Deputy  President. 

Atlanta  district,  Frank  Q'larles,  Deputy  ^'resident. 

Columbus  dijjtrict,  Thos  Ithodes,  Deputy  Prcs'dent. 

Augusta  district,  Thos  P  Beard,  Deputy  President. 

Savannah  district,  U  L  Houston,  Deputy  President. 
On  motion  of  Harris  of  Warren,  voted  that  the  President  be  au-« 
thorized  to  appoint  Lewis  Smith  of  Bibb  county,  Deputy  President 
Zf  Albany  district  with  authority  to  appoint  an  acting  Dt'puty-Presi- 
dent  to  as-i:4  him  in  that  district. 

On  motion  of  Finch  of  Athens,  voted  that  a  committee  of  three  bo 
appointed  on  Besolutious.     The    President  appointed  Finch  of 
Clarke,  B:ard  of  Kichmotid,  Smith  of  Bibb. 
Voted  10  adjourn  to  three  d.  m. 

AFTERNOON  SESSION. 

The  council  was  called  to  order  at  3  p.  m.,  by  the  Presid'^nt. 

The  Secretary  being  absent,  on  motion  cf  Fiuch  of  Clarke,  voted 
that  T  P  Beard  of  Richmond,  act  as  Secretary  pro  tern. 

The  committee  on  Sahiries  reported  through  Mr  Smith   of  Bibb 
that  the  salaries  of  the  financial  Ag^n^s  be  twenty  five  dollars  per 
week. 
(Signed) 

L  Smith, 
E  C  Powell. 

S  McA^estcr, 


12 


On  motion  of  Harr's  o!"  Warren,  tlie  report  was  received  and 

adopted 

On  motion  of  Fincli  of  Atbens,  vo^ed  that  a  financial  report  be 
made  monthly,  signed  by  the  financial  committee  and  T  P  Beard  as 
Agent  and  Trea-^urer  and  forwarded  to  each  Vice  President. 

On  motion  of  Powell  of  Greene,  voted  that  in  organizing  Associa- 
tions each  Deputy- President  act  as  he  thinks  the  good  of  the  cause 
requires. 

On  motion  of  Nelson  of  Wilkes,  voted  that  the  Vice-President  of 
each  county  be  advised  to  assist  the  colored  people  before  the  Freed- 
man's  Bureau,  and  charge  them  a  fee  for  their  services. 

On  motion  of  Smith  of  Bibb  voted  that  each  Deputy-President 
receive  compensation  for  actual  expenses  in  organizing  Associations 
in  his  district 

On  motion  of  Colby  of  Taliferro,  voted  that  the  committee  ap- 
pointed to  proceed  to  Savannah  shall  receive  compensation  far  actual 
expenses  incurred  in  a'tendin-j'  to  their  duties. 

On  motion  of  Smith  of  Bibb,  voted  that  the  Treasurer  be  in- 
structed to  pay  ou^  money  from  the  Treasury  upon  all  orders  signed 
by  the  President  and  Secretarj^  of  the  council  and  none  others. 

The  committee  on  Besolutions,  through  their  Chairman,  Mr.  Finch, 
presented  the  following  resolutions; 

Resolved^  That  the  results  which  have  thus  far  followed  emancipa- 
tion,  have  been  such  as  to  encourage  us  in  the  use  of  jiny  means  where^ 
by   the  further  progress  of  our  race  may  be  promoted. 

Resolved,  That  our  special  gratitude  is  due  to  those  who  have 
been  laboring  among  us  in  behalt  of  the  cause  of  education;  and  that 
we  rcc  guize  our  duty  to  do  all  that  we  can  to  manifest  our  appre- 
ciation of  their  labors,  not  only  by  giving  our  children  the  oppor-* 
tunities  which  are  thus  atfordtd  to  them,  but  by  improving  them 
ourselves,  and  encouraging  others  to  do  the  same. 

Resolved,  That  among  the  instrumentalities  now  employed  in 
our  behalf,  the  Press  holds  a  prominent  place ;  that  it  is  cause  for 
deep  rej?»icing  that  so  many  ably  conducted  newspapers  have  already 
been  established  in  the  interests  of  the  colored  man;  that  we  are 
glad  that  our  own  State  has  such  an  organ  in  the  Loyal  Georgian  ; 
and  that  we  feel  bound  to  put  forth  every  etfort  to  increase  its  cir- 
culation; inasmuch  as  its  discontinuance,  through  the  neglect  of  such 
effort,  would  pr^ve  a  serious  prejudice  to  our  cause. 

Resolved,  That  while  we  do  all  we  can,  both  by  precept  and  exam- 
ple, to  encourage  education,  industry,  and  obedieiiCe  to  wholesome 
law  among  our  people,  as  the  best  means  of  securing  rights  and  privi 
leges  now  withheld,  we  will,  at  the  same  time,  avail  ourselves  of  all 
the  means,  such  as  organization,  petitioning,  sending  a  delegate  to 
congress,  &c.,  whereby  ourcoudjtioo  and  claims  as  a  people  may  be 
kept  before  the  country  and  its  rulers. 

Rcsolvcdj  That  as  citizens  of  the  United  States,  invested  with 


13 


theri^bt?  of  person  and  property  appertaining  tbereto,  andl  subject  to 
the  correlative  burden  of  taxation,  we  have  also  the  reciprocal  ri^i^ht 
of  representation  ;  for  which  it  is  our  duty  respectfully,  but  earnestly 
and  perseverino:1y  to  plead,  until  it  is  granted  us. 

Resolved^  That  in  regard  to  the  franchise,  we  will  never  cea?e 
to  protest  against  all  partial  legislation  based  on  color,  or  race,  or 
other  adventitious  disticctions,  as  unjust  and  wrong;  at  the  saoie 
time  that  we  are  ready  to  acquiesce  in  any  reasonable  conditions  regu- 
latino;  this   subject,  v/hieh  bear  impartially  on  all  citizens. 

Resolved,  That  we  have,  and  rejoice  to  have,  in  the  prevailing  pul)Uo 
sentiment  of  the  country,  as  manifested  both  in  words  and  acts,  also 
in  the  opinion  and  acts  of  congress,  a  guarantee,  that  whatever  may 
be  the  policy  and  course  of  the  President  of  the  United  States,  our 
cause  is  in  good  hands,  and  must  ultimately  triunf>pb. 
.(Signed) 

VV  ILtlAM  1^  INCH. 

,  L  Smith. 

Tugs  P  Beard. 

On  motion  of  Nelson,  of  "Wilks,  voted  that  the  report  be  received 
and  that  the  resolutions  be  laid  upon  the  table  for  the  present 

On  motion  voted  that  the  council  adjourn  until  half  pasfr 
eight  this  evening. 


EVENINIG  SESSION, 


The  council  was  called  to  order  at  balf'^past  eight  j  the  President 
fn  the  chair. 

On  motion  of  Powell  of  Greene,  voted  that  each  Tice- President 
report  weekly,  the  amount  he  collects,  deducting  actual  expenses,  and 
that  he  forw.ard  the  amount  to  Captain  C  H  Prince;  also  that  an 
account  be  kept  on  file,  in  the  office  of  the  Treasurer  of  the  paper, 
with  each  Vice-President, 

On  motion  of  Nelson  of  Wilkes,  voted  that  the  friends  of  equal 
riphts,  in  those  counties  that  have  no  Vice-President,  be  invited  to 
elect  one  under  the  direction  of  the  Deputy  President  of  the  Dis> 
trict. 

Oil  motion  of  Harris  of  Warren,  voted  that  tl^e  proceedings  of  this 
council  be  printed  in  pamphlet  form  and  that  a  committee  be  appoin- 
ted to  revise  the  minutes  for  publication.  The  President  appointed 
R  T  Ken ),  and  T  P  Beard,  said  committee. 

On  motion  of  Smith  of  Bibb,  voted  that  all  Leagues  or  other 
organizations  that  have  been  formed  in  this  State  for  the  purpose  of 
assisting  the  colored  citizens  to  secure  equal  rights,  and  that  have 
not  connected  themselves  with  the  Equal  Bights  Association,  be  ins 
vited  to  do  so  upon  the  same  terms  that  the  Union  League  of  Macon 
was  invited  to  join. 

Oa  motion,  voted  that  when  this  council  adjourn,  it  adjourn  to' 


14 


meet  in  this  city  on  the  second  Wednesday  of  July  next  at  10  am.,. 
The  President  then  made  the  following  remarks : 

Gantleme?!  of  the  Cf^uncil : 

You  are  now  about  to  return  to  your  homes,  after  two  days  spent 
in  discussing  matters  of  great  import'tnce  to  yqur  people. 

You  have  undertaken  a  great  and  noble  work,  to  elevate  and  im- 
prove your  race,  and  secure  for  them  all  the  rights  and  privileges 
that  other  citizens  enjoy.  Do  not  suppose  that  this  is  an  easy  task 
that  you  have  undertaken.  Do  not  suppose  that  you  will  be  imme- 
diately successful.  You  must  expect  to  be  opposed  by  powerful  in- 
fluences, but  remember  that  God  is  just,  that  He  will  assist  you  if 
you  labor  for  the  right,  and  that  with  His  assistance,  you  will  over- 
come all  opposition.  Strive  to  induce  your  people  to  be  industrious 
always,  to  be  peacable,  but  above  all,  to  educate  themselves  and  their 
children. 

Do  all  you  can  to  sustain  your  organ,  The  Loyal  Georgian.  It 
is  the  only  paper  in  Georgia  that  advocates  your  cause.  It  would  be 
of  incalculable  injury  to  you  as -a  race,  if  jou  should  now  allow  it  to 
be  suspended. 

Labor  with  zeal  to  organize  Associations  in  your  Districts.  It  is 
of  the  utmost  importance  that  your  people  should  be  united  as  soon 
as  possible.  These  are  to  you  golden  moments,  and,  if  you  allow 
them  to  pass  unimproved,  you  may  never  have  another  opportunity 
to  accomplish  what  you  may  now  accomplish  if  you  make  the  proper 
effort. 

On  motion  of  Finch,  of  Athens,  the  council  adjourned. 

The  following  counties  were  represented  in  the  council: 

Richmond,  by  T  P  Beard;  Bibb,  by  Lewis  Smith*;  Greene,  by 
E  C  Powell;  Wilkes,  by  Henry  Nelson;  Clarke,  by  William  Finch; 
Morgan,  by  S  McAlester ;  Warren,  by  William  Harris  ;  Dougherty, 
W  S  W  Sherman  ;  Burke,  by  Simon  Hankerson;  Jasper,  by  Phillip 
Randal;  Oglethorpe,  by  Hall  Bolden ;  Taliaferro,  by  A  Colby; 
Elbert,  by  S  Hirams. 

A  true  copy  of  minutes. 

J.  E.  BRYANT,  President. 
Robert  T.  Kent,  Secretary  of  Council. 


15 


A  Weekly  Journal  devoted  to  the  maintenance  of  EQUAL 
RIGHTS  AND  PRIVILEGES  of  all  men  irrespective  of  color 
or  race. 

TERMS : 

One  Year.  .  .  .  $3  00 
Six  Months  .        1  75 

ADVERTISEMENTS 

will  be  inserted  at  the  following  rates  :  OME  square  of  TEN  lines, 
SI  00,  for  the  first  insertion ;  50cts  for  each  additional  insertion. 

Office  corner  of  Jackson  and  Ellis  Sts.,  rear  of  Glohe  Hotel. 


TO  FREEDlEi 


Every  MaQj  Woman  and  Child  should  put  their  money  for 

SAFE  Z^BPIMG-, 

AND  , 

ACCUMULATION  OF  INTJ:REST, 

INTO  THE 

Freedmen's  Savings  Bank, 

BEGAD  ST  ,  AUGUSTA,  GA., 

HEADaUARTERS  t'REEDMAN'S  BUREAU, 

P  l)eposits  of  One  Dollar  and  upwards,  received  every  day,  from' 
12,30  to  3  30  P  M. 
These  Deposits  can  be  drawn  out  whenever  the  Depositor  chooses* 

This  SAVINGS  BANK  i&  a  Branch  of  the  National 
Freedman's  Savings  and  Trust  Company,  chartered  by  Act  of  Conv 
gress,  March  3a,  1865,  and  approved  by  the  late  President,  Abra* 
ham  Lincoln. 


C.  H.  PRIICi:,  Cashier. 


PROCEEDINGS 

OF  THE 

C  O  N  V      N  T  I  0  ^  N 

or    THE  1 

EQUAL  RIGHTS 

AND 

EDUCATIONAL'  A880€IATIO]¥ 

OF  GEORGIA, 

ASSEMBLED  AT  MACON,  OCTOBER  29th,  1866; 
Contaim?ig  the  Amiual  Address  of  the  President^ 
CAPTAIN  J.  E.  BRYANT. 


PUBI.ISHED  BY  ORDER  OF  THE  CONVENTIO!^, 


Printed  at  the  office  of  The  Loyal  Georgian,  corner  of  Jaskson  and  Ellis  Stg., 

AUGUSTA,  GA, 

1  8  66. 


CONYENTION  OF  GEORGIA  EQUAL  RIGHTS  AND 


EDUCATIONAL  ASSOCIATION. 


Macon,  Ga.,  October  30th,  1866. 

The  Georgia  J]qual  Rights  Asbociation  met  in  Convention  at  the 
African  Methodist  Episcopal  church.  The  Convention  was  called  to 
order  by  the  President,  Captain  J.  E.  Bryant,  at  ten  o'clock  A.  M. 
The  proceedings  were  opened  with  a  very  impressive  prayer  by  Rev. 
Wilkes  Flagg,  of  Baldwin  county.  The  President,  after  giving  a 
brief  history  of  the  Association,  appoint^  the  following  gentlemen  a 
Committee  on  Credentals :  Rev.  Wm.  J.  White  of  Richmond, 
Lawrence  Gardiner  of  Hancock,  Wm.  H.  Harris  of  Warren,  S.  Mc- 
Alister  of  Morgan,  and  Lewis  Smith  of  Bibb.  The  committee  re-* 
ported  the  following  delegates  duly  elected  to  this  Convention : 

Bibh  county.  Rev  Milton  Tillinghast,  Rev  Lewis  Smith,  A  G 
Gaston,  W  D  Sueed. 

Baldivin  county.    Rev  Wilkes  Flagg,  Berry  Hall. 

Burke  county.  Rev  Edward  Crumby,  Peter  Drayton,  John  P 
Nelson. 

Butts  county,    Anderson  Freeman,  G  Wise. 

Calhoun  county.    Henry  Thompson,  C  Thomas. 

Clarke  county.    James  Bacon. 

Clayton  county.    Sam'l  Chubbs. 

Cobb  county.    W  Cokine. 

Coweta"^  county.    Samuel  Smith,  Benj  Dont. 

Dougherty  county.    Benj  Sykes,  8  Sherman. 

Fulton  county.    Rev  A  Jackson,  Wm  R  Mann. 

Green  county.    Wesley  Mapp,  Chas  Martin. 

Glascock  county.    Singleton  Davis,  John  Ruff. 

Hancock  county.    L  F  Gardner,  L  H  Holsey,  A  Yancy. 

Houston  county.    Isaac  Harrall,  A  Roily,  S  A  Cobb. 

Henry  county.    H  Griffin,  H  Humphrey. 

Jasper  county.    Rev  T  M  Allen,  J  Cargill. 

Jefferson  county.    Rev  R  Smith,  A  Spann,  G  W  Stone* 

Johnson  county.    Rev  S  Harris,  W  Outley. 


2 


Jones  county.    Rev  J  P  Hatcbins,  S  P  Barron. 
Laurens  county.    Rev  G  Lendor. 
Macon  county.    W  Lewis,  Kiley  Chamlin. 
Morgan  county.    S  McAlister,  E  Johnson,  Rev  N  Russell. 
Momoe  county.    Wm  A  Travis,  T  Stone,  F  Floyd,  G  H  Glower, 
K  Glower,  J  Buckner,  J  Beufield,  P  Alston. 
Mario  I  county.    J  8  Williams. 
Neivton  county.    R  Johnson,  Thos  Brooks. 
Pulaski  county.    Jaraes  Scarborough,  J  Horn. 
Putnam  county.    Wm  Johnson. 
P'kc  county.    R  Mangbam,  Samuel  Martin. 
Quitman  county.    Rev  G  Brown. 

llichniond  comity.    Rev  W  J  White,  T  Hankerson,  Rev  E  Purdy. 
Spalding  county.    D  McClendou,  J  Stevens,  D  Cobbin. 
Screven  co-  nty.    Rev  L  Kelsey,  Rev  R  Kelsey. 
Sumter  coilnty.    S  M  Walters. 

Talbot  county .    Henry  Holsey, 'Kit  Daniels.  » 

Wcrren  county.    J  R  Heath,  Wm  H  Harris. 

Washingt07i  county.    Rev  D  Palmer  John  Foster. 

Webster  county.    F  Weaver. 

Upson  county.    Geo  Carey,  Charles  Guilford. 

Wilkes  county.    Rev  L  Williams. 

Whitfield  county.    Rev  M  Brown. 

Tbe  report  was  received  and  adopted.  Mr  N  D  Sneed,  of  Bibb, 
was  cbosen  First,  and  Mr  Robt  Johnson,  of  Newton,  Second  Assist- 
ant Secretaries.  The  President  requested  that  a  committee  be  ap- 
pointed to  confer  with  the  Union  League,  for  the  purpose  of  uniting 
all  the  friends  of  equal  rights  in  one  Convention.  The  following  gentle- 
men were  appointed:  Rev  A  Jackson,  of  Fulton,  Rev  H  M  Turner, 
of  Bibb,  Thomas  Hankerson,  of  Richmond,  Wm  A  Travis,  of  Mon^ 
roe,  and  Albert  Roily,  of  Houston. 

On  motion  of  Rev  H  M  Turner,  voted  that  we  have  a  public 
meeting  this  evening. 

Major  G  L  Eberhart  was  invited  to  address  the  meeting. 

Convention  adjourned  to  three,  P.  M. 

AFIERnOON  SESSION. 

President  called  tbe  Convention  to  order  at  three  o'clock  and  laid 
before  the  Convention,  the  action  of  the  State  Council,  recommending 
that  the  Loyal  Georgian  be  transferred  by  the  Association  to  the 
creditors  of  the  same,  fur  the  purpose  of  forming  a  joint-stock  com- 
pany, providing  they  assume  the  debts  of  the  paper. 

On  motion  of  Rev  A  Jackson,  of  Fulton,  the  following  resolution 
was  adopted : 

Resotved^  That  we  ag'-ee  to  transfer  the  Loyal  Georgian  to  the 
creditors  of  the  Association  for  the  purpose  of  forming  a  joint^stock 


3 


oompapy,  and  that  each  member  of  the  Association  ui^e  his  best 
efforts  to  sell  stocl?  sufficient  to  pat  the  paper  upon  a  firm  basis; 
laboring  for  it  as  they  have  never  labored  before. 

The  Committee  on  Conference  made  report,  which  was  a'.'opted, 
recommending  tfiat  all  delegates  from  counti<}s  in  which  there  were  no 
Equal  Rights  Associations,  be  admitted  to  the  Convention. 

Adjourned  to  nine  o'cloek  tO'morrow  morLiing. 

SECOND  DAY. 

President  called  Convention  to  order  at  nine  o'clock.  Prayer  by 
Mr.  Gardner  of  Hancock.  Miijutes  read  and  approved.  Chairman 
of  Committee  on  Conference  reported  that  the  com.mittee  were  uoable 
to  agree  with  the  Union  League  upon  a  plan  to  unite  with  this  Con- 
vention.   On  motion,  the  report  was  received  and  adopted. 

On  motion  of  Bacon,  of  Clarke,  ordered  that  the  resolution  relat- 
ing to  the  transfer  of  the  Loyal  Gc-rgian  to  a  joint-stock  company, 
be  published  in  the  Loyal  Georgian  separately. 

Rev  W  Fiagg  presented  twelve  dollars — amount  of  collection  at 
public  meeting  for  the  Loyal  Georgian. 

The  President  then  delivered  the  following  annual  address  which 
was  listened  to  with  the  most  profound  interest,  and  a  resolution 
unanimously  adopted  requesting  him  to  furnish  a  copy  for  publica^ 
tiou  in  the  Loyal  Georgian. 

ADDRESS  OF  CAPTAIN  J.  E.  BRYANT. 

My  Friends^  and  Members  of  the  Georgia  Equal  IHdUs  Associa- 
tion. 

You  have  met  for  the  second  time  to  consider  the  condition  of  the 
colored  citizens  of  Georgia.  On  tbe  lOth  day  of  January  last,  the 
friends  of  equal  rights  met  for  the  first  time  in  the  history  of  this 
State  to  consult  together,  and  adopt  a  policy,  by  which  th^y  would 
be  governed,  in  laboring  to  advance  the  cause  so  dear  to  their  hearts. 
They  organized  an  Association  which  was  very  properly  called  the 
Georgia  Equal  Rights  Assoc4ition,  made  arrangements  for  publishing 
a  new^spaper,  passed  resolutions  and  adjourned. 

A  difference  of  opinion  arose  in  regard  to  the  policy  which  should 
be  pursued  towards  the  white  friends,  who  might  wish  to  assist  in 
the  efforts,  made  to  secure  for  the  colored  race  those  rights  to  which 
every  citizen  in  this  free  Government  is  entitled.  Some,  desirous  of 
securing  the  practical  assistance  of  white  iriends,  advocated  the  elec- 
tion of  a  white  man  for  President;  others,  in  consideration  of  the 
fact  that  all  the  delegates  to  the  convention  were  colored  men,  were 
of  the  opinion  that  it  would  be  better  to  elect  a  colored  man  to  that 
position.  The  discussion,  which  was  throughout  conducted  in  the 
best  spirit,  was  ended  by  a  deci.^ion,  nearly  unanimous,  in  favor  cf 
electing  a  white  man  President.    The  election  was  unanimous. 


1 


I  regarded  it  a  great  honor  to  n^y.^clf  that  I  wa?,  uL'der  these 
ci'.'CUTns*'ninr.oq^  i^io  n'miiinnn.^  c'loioe  of  the  convention.    Men  who 
b  it  a  tVw  in. If. I     l);;.*)r(^  wto  ?.;n-.  s  liaving  to  use  a  phrase  of  politi- 
'  iiiiis,  'uo  rights  which  white  men  were  bound  to  respect,'  had  assena- 
)led  to  discuss  and  make  known  the  condition  of  their  people,  and 
•rganize  to  labor,  unitedly  and  successfully,  to  improve  their  conr. 
lition,  and  secure  for  them  those  rights  which  the  Declaration  of 
""ndependence  declares  to  be   unalienable.    To  choose  myself  from 
he  race  of  their  oppressors,  being  almost  a  stranger,  was,  under 
he  circumstances,  proof  of  the  strongest  kind  that  1  had  the  entire 
•onfidence  of  the  delegates.    I  prized  this  more  than  I  can  express 

0  you,  and  felt  that  I  could  not  refuse  to  accept  a  position  which 
vould  offer^  so  many  opportunities  of  d  )ing  good,  when  I  was  ass 
-ured  that  a  downtrodden  people,  struggling  to  gain  rights  which  had 
.Iways  been  denied  them,  placed  such  generous  confidence  in  me ; 
ind,  in  accepting  the  position,  I  said:  'after  listening  to  the  remarks 
)f  the  President  of  your  convention,  who,  in  words  that  touched 
ny  heart  as  it  has  soldom  been  touched,  assured  me  that  in  choosing 
)Qe  from  the  race  of  your  oppressors  to  act  as  President  of  an  As- 
oeiation,  organized  to  secure  for  your  race  equal  rights,  you  raani- 
ested  the  confidence  and  esteem,  entertained  tor  me  by  yourselves, 
\ud  those  whom  you  represent ;  I  can  not  decline  to  accept  the  position, 
nd  I  promise  that  with  the  help  of  Him  who  rules  all  nations,  and 
las,  by  an  almost  miraculous  display  of  power,  given  you  freedom, 

will  not  disappoint  you.'    Standing  before  you  to-day,  and  calling 
xod  for  my  witness,  I  say  to  you,  that,  from  that  time  to  this,  I  have 
.abored  early  and  late,  as  I  have  never  before  labored,  to  fulfill  that 
)ledge.    I  have  walked  in  the  light  as  Grod  gave  me  to  see  the  light, 
regardless  of  all  consequences  and  all  dangers.    I  have  done  what 

1  thought  was  right  leaving  the  result  with  Grod. 

Although  [  willingly  accented  the  honor  conferred  upon  rae,  never- 
hcless  I  was  fully  aware  of  the  unpleasant  position,  in  which  I  placed 
'lyself  by  accepting  it.  I  was  fully  aware  that,  as  an  officer  of  the 
Government,  I  had  made  myself  obnoxious  to  a  large  class  of  citizens, 
because  I  recognized  the  late  slaves  as  citizens,  and  protected  them  as 
mch.  I  know  that  1  should,  in  my  new  position,  render  myself  still 
nore  obnoxious,  but  I  had,  during  my  residence  in  the  State,  at> 
empted  to  do  right,  and  I  proposed  to  continue  to  do  so,  and,  bei 
ieving  that, 

"Truth  crushed  to  earth  will  rise  again — 
The  eternal  years  of  God  are  hers  ;" 

determined  to  continue  to  do  right,  leaving  the  result  with  God; 
elieving  that,  if  I  lived,  good  men  would  at  length  acknowledge  the 
urity  of  my  motives,  whatever  they  might  think  of  the  policy  puT>> 
lied.  I  was  fully  aware  of  the  fact  that,  but  a  few  months  before, 
ny  white  man,  who  attempted  to  do  what  1  proposed  to  do,  would 


5 


Jiave  been  severely  punished  in  accordance  with  the  laws  of  the  State, 
and,  if  he  bad  been  killed,  the  verdict  of  the  entire  community  would 
have  been,  'served  hira  rit^ht.'  I  knew  that  laws  and  customs  as  old 
as  these,  which  the  people  were  forced  to  give  up  against  their  will, 
must  leave  a  prejudice,  bitter  and  hard  to  overcome;  I  knew  that,  if 
I  accepted  this  position,  I  should  be  astrocized  for  years  from  the 
society  of  most  white  citizens  of  this  State,  and  I  knew  that  I  risked 
even  life  itself,  neverthelsss  I  did  not,  for  a  moment,  hesitate. 

What  is  life  !  We  have  but  a  few  years  to  live,  and  he  who  does 
most  ^ood,  accomplishes  mo^^t.  It  is  pleasant  to  enjoy  the  advantages 
of  good  society;  it  is  pleasant  to  die  a  natural  death,  for  die  we  all 
must,  but  that  man  is  a  coward  who  fails  to  do  good,  because  there 
are  dangers  in  the  way;  he  is  unfit  to  live,  if  he  will  fail  to  do  good, 
because,  perchance,  he  may  be  deprived  of  some  of  the  pleasures  of 
society. 

SUBORDINATE  ASSOCIATIONS. 

The  great  work,  in  my  judgment,  which  first  presented  itself  to 
me,  was  to  organize  Subordiriate  Associations  throughout  the  State  as 
rapidly  as  possible,  and  establish,  upon  a  permanent  basis,  the  organ 
of  your  Association,  the  Loyal  Georgian,  Indeed,  that  has  been 
the  great  work  of  the  past  year. 

I  have  found  much  difficulty  in  establishing  Subordinate  Associa- 
tions in  the  difi"erent  counties.  When  you  were  slaves,  you  had 
no  leaders,  no  smart  men,  or,  more  properly,  your  smart  men  were 
not  permitted  to  become  your  leaders.  The  laws  prevented  you  from 
securing  an  edncation  You  could  not  become  acquainted  with  each 
other  through  the  public  press,  or  by  letter,  as  free  persons  can,  and 
as  vou  now  may.  Indeed.  I  found  that,  outside  of  the  cities  and  large 
towns,  the  colored  pe<»ple  knew  nothing  of  each  other,  except  in  the 
neighborhood  in  which  they  lived.  It  was  necessary  that  I  should 
find  out  who  could  read  and  write,  and  also  who  were  most  respected 
among  you.  For  the  reasons  given,  it  has  been  a  difficult  task; 
nevertheless  I  have  succerde'd  ui  discovering  some  of  these  men  in 
fifty  counties,  and  Associations  have  been  organized  in  those  counties. 
The  Constitution  provides  that  each  member  shall  pay  an  initiation 
fee  of  one  dollar,  which  is  to  be  sent  by  each  Subordinate  Association 
to  the  President  of  the  State  Association.  Very  few  Subordinate 
Associations  have  done  this.  I  have  been  informed  that  in  some 
counties  the  money  has  been  raised  and  given  to  the  Vice  President 
of  the  county,  who  has  tailed  to  forward  it,ai:d  that,  in  other  counties, 
the  Vice  President  has  failed  to  forward  all  that  has  been  entrusted 
to  his  care.  I  desire  that,  if  you  are  prepared  to  prove  such  charges, 
you  will  not  fail  to  report  them  at  this  time,  for  1  desire  to  appomt 
a  committee  to  investigate  all  charges  of  this  kind.  If  any  officer 
of  this  Association  has  been  dishonest,  he  should  be  expelled  from 
office  and  denounced.    We  have  undertaken  a  great  work,  ard  one 


of  vast  iaiportance  to  tbo  colored  race,  as  well  aS  to  the  Slate.  Wo 
must  raise  money  to  enable  us  to  prosecute  0')r  work;  we  must  trust 
meu,  and,  if  they  betray  tiie  confidenee  which  we  place  in  them,  it 
is  our  duty  to  expose  them  and  denounce  them.  This  will  be  a 
warnii.g  to  others,  who,  being  trusted,  may  not  be  tempted  to  actdis* 
lionestJy. 

Cheso  Subordinate  Associations  are  exerting  a  powerful  influence 
already.  Tiiey  are  schools  where  colored  citizens  learu  their  rights. 
At  the  meetings  of  many  Associations  the  Loyal  Georgian  is  read 
by  some  member,  and  thus,  in  every  county  in  the  State,  they  may 
gain  information  which  is  of  vital  importanor  at  this  t!me.  These 
Associations  may  be,  indeed  they  sbould  be  scliools  where  every  mem- 
ber can,  at  least,  learn  to  read  and  write. 

THE    LOYAL  GEOPcGTAN. 

It  was  considered  absolutely  necessary,  by  the  founders  of  this 
Association,  that  an  organ  should  be  published  to  advocate  the  policy, 
which  was  re^jarded  as  of  vital  importance  to  the  interests  and  weK 
fare  of  the  colored  citizens  of  the  State. 

A  newspaper — the  Colored  American— had  been  established  by 
an  enterprising  coloi-ed  roan  in  the  city  of  AugUv«ta,  but  he  did  not 
meet  with  that  encouragement  wuich  he  expected,  and  was  about  to 
rellr.tjuish  the  undertaking,  when  an  Association  in  that  city,  known 
as  the  Union  League,  relieved  him  of  the  responsibility,  assumed  the 
debts  and  continued  the  publication  of  the  paper  uviii  iMs  Associa^ 
tion  was  organized,  when  it  transferred  the  property  to  this  Asso* 
ciation,  upon  condition  that  it  should  pay  the  debts.  .  It  was  thought 
best  to  change  the  name,  and,  by  unanimous  consent,  the  paper  was 
called  the  Loyal  Georgian.  Thus  was  established  a  paper,  which, 
although  smail  in  size,  has  wielded  a  powerful  influence  in  behalf  of 
the  colored  people  of  this  State.  As  President  of  the  Association, 
it  becomes  my  duty  ,  to  superintend  the  publication  of  this  paper. 
Although  Vt'e  have  used  every  exertion  to  pay  the  expenses  and 
decrease  the  debt,  we  have  been  unable  to  do  so.  I  have,  with  great 
difficulty,  continued  its  publication;  and  must  say  to  you  frankly 
that,  unless  some  changes  are  made  immediately,  we  must  suspend 
its  publication  p.'iM;  f  t-  er.  'Ihis  would  be  a  disaster  to  the  cause  of 
equal  rights  \\\  greatly  to  be  deplored,  and  T  fear  that  it 

would  take  moiiti.s,  {  v;  i  aps  years,  to  repair  the  injury,  cai  sed  by  a 
failure  on  the  part  cf  the  friends  of  justice  to  sustain  one  small  paper 
in  tbo  State.  I  know  there  are  obstacles  to  overcome  that  would 
anpal  cowards;  but  we  are  engaged  in  a  warfare  agaiust  wrong, 
iiiju>tice   vircridice,  ignov  "        ;ind  villainy,  and  cowards 

have  no  busii  e.-s  to  enter  ;  r     If  we  are  not  cowards, 

we  sbould  f  hrink  from  no  hoiiojabio  and  wise  effort  that  promises 
to  biiug  s-ucolss  ;  and  we  should  be  appaled  at  no  oppositioii,  for 
•we  know  ihur  Go^l  iii^sists  those  who  labor  to  do  good,  and,  trusting 


7 


in  Him,  we  slioiild  never  cease  our  efforts,  as  long  r.s  any  plan  presents 
itself  that  is  considered  feasible. 

^Vhen  this  Association  was  organized,  I  thouglit  that  it  could  and 
.would  easily  support  tbe  paper.  I  know  that  the  object,  aad  the 
only  object  in  view,  was  to  improve  the  condition  of  the  colored 
citizens,,  and  thus  advance  the  interests  of  the  State  and  Nation. 
I  therefore  felt  that  every  colored  man  in  Georgia  would,  as  soon  as 
he  learned  our  object,  assist  us.  I  have  been  disappointed.  Before 
our  Association  was  organized,  there  were  societies  in  several  cities 
in  the  State  known  as  Union  Leagues.  Delegates  were  present,  I 
believe^  from  all  of  these  Leagues  except  the  Savannah  League, 
Unfortunately  that  society  was  not  represented,  and,  for  reasons  which 
it  is  unnessary  to  mention,  its  members  have  been  unwilling  to  unite 
with  us.  For  this  reason,  mainly,  we  have  received  but  little  asMstance 
from  Savannah.  There  are  in  thh  State  about  five  hundred  thousand 
colored  persons,  and  at  least  100,000  men  who  are  old  enough  to  join 
the  Association.  As  the  initiation  fee  is  one  dollar,  if  one  in  ten 
should  join  and  pay  the  initiation  fee,  $10,000  would  be  raised. 
Thus  the  paper  could  be  easilv  supported,  even  if  nothing  was  re- 
ceived from  subscriptions  to  it,  or  from  advertisements.  But  for 
the  reasons  given  above,  and  because  most  of  the  Vice  Presidents 
have  failed  to  send  money  from  those  counties  where  Associations  have 
been  organized,  the  State  Association  has  been  unable  to  render 
the  paper  much  assistance. 

I  have  received  from  Associations  $825,72,  and  from  this  siim 
have  paid  T.  P.  Beard,  Agent  and  Treasurer  for  the  paper  $523,97. 
I  suppose  that  anGther  reason  has  prevented  the  friends  from  sending 
money.  The  Assistant  Commissoner  of  the  Freedmen's  Bureau  for 
Greorgia,  General  Tillson,  has  accused  your  President  of  dishonesty, 
and,  although  the  charges  made  by  him  have  beeU  investigated  and 
proved  ta^be  false,  nevertheless  bad  men  continue  to  repeat  these 
charges.  I  believe  that  your  paper  has  received  more  injury  from 
the  report.':,  circulated  by  General  Tillson,  than  from  all  other  causes. 
The  colored  people  have  .been  taught  to  look  to  tbe  Freedmen's  Bureau 
for  protection.  It  was  estab'.ished  to  protect  them,  and  they  natu» 
rally  suppos:Hhat  omoers,  appointed  by  the  Government,  are  their 
friends.  When,  therefore,  the  chief  officer  of  the  Bureau,  for  the 
State,  asserted  positively  that  the  money,  vvhich  was  given  by  the 
freed  people  for  the  Association,  was  stolen  by  the  President,  we  can 
not  wonder  that  tiey  hesitated  about  sending  it;  and,  when  you 
remember  that  an  agent  of  the  Bureau  has  been  appointed  for  each 
county,  all  of  whom  are  subject  to  the  command  of  the  Assistant 
Commissoner,  and  are,  of  course,  expected  to  believe  the  statements 
made  by  him,  and,  wbtm  ali  of  tiieso  men  were  irif  )rmcd  of  the  state- 
ments made  by  Gen  r  il  Tillson,  and  instrucred  to  prevent  the  freed- 
men,  so  far  as  possible,  from  sending  money  to  the  officers  of  the 
State  Association,  you  can  Lot  be  surprised  that  we  received  but 
little  assistance  from  them,    A  fevr  counties  have  continued  to  labor 


8 


with  zeal.  Kichmocd,  JeS'erson,  and  Greene  counties  havu  given  us 
the  most  assistance.  Too  much  praise  can  cot  be  given  to  the  colored 
people  of  Augusta.  Through  evil  report  and  good  report  they  have 
never  faltered,  never  failed  us.  They  have  given  $384,50  and  have 
loaned  $1028,80.  The  money  loaned  should  have  been  paid  before, 
but  as  I  have  said  above,  it  has  been  impossible  to  do  so.  The  creditors 
have  held  a  meeting,  and  have  chosen  a  committee  to  consult  with 
this  Association^  and,  ifpossible,  make  a  settlement.  If  it  had  not  beea 
for  the  assistance  which  we  have  received  from  Augusta,  we  must  have 
suspended  the  publication  of  the  paper  several  months  since.  The 
friends  in  Augusta  feel  that  they  can  give  and  loan  no  more  at  present. 

I  informed  the  council  at  its  meeting  in  July  that,  in  my  judgment, 
we  must  receive  assistance  from  our  friends  at  the  North,  or  we 
could  not  succeed  in  our  undertaking ;  and  I  was  requested  to 
visit  the  North  and  represent  to  our  friends  there  the  importance 
of  the  work  we  had  undertaken,  and  appeal  to  them  for  assistance. 
I  did  as  requested.  I  found  that  the  Northern  people  take  a  deep 
interest  in  every  undertaking  that  has  for  its  object  the  improvement 
of  the  freed  people  of  the  South,  and  are  willing  to  give  liberally  to 
sustain  them;  but  there  are  so  many  calls  for  money  that  we  can 
not  expect  very  much  assistance  from  there.  I  must  therefore  say 
to  you  that,  in  my  opinion,  your  paper  can  not  be  longer  published 
by  the  Association.  But  I  am  of  opinion  that  it  may  still  be  pub* 
lished  as  the  organ  of  the  Association.  I  was  authorized  by  the 
council  to  hire  money  if  necessary  to  continue  the  publication  of  the 
paper.  I  have  given  notes  that  remain  unpayed  to  the  amount  of 
$1028,80.  These  notes  are  signed  by  myself  as  President  of  the 
Association,  and  by  the  Secretary  of  the  Council,  Robert  T.  Kent. 
I  assured  the  persons  to  whom  these  notes  were  given  that  they  should 
be  paid;  indeed  the  money  was  loaned,  because  I  gave  that  assurance. 
Therefore,  when  I  came  to  the  conclusion  that  the  As'^ociation  w^ould 
be  unable  to  continue  the  publication  of  the  Loyal  Geofgian^  or  to 
pay  these  notes,  I  requested  the  parties  who  had  loaned  the  money 
to  meet  me,  and  I  frankly  stated  to  them  our  condition.  They  chose 
a  committee  to  represented  them  at  this  convention,  and  voted  that 
they  would,  if  the  Association  approved  of  the  plan,  form  a  stock 
company,  pay  all  the  debts  of  the  paper,  and  continue  its  publication. 

I  advise  you  by  all  means  to  accept  this  proposition.  As  I  have 
before  said,  I  am  fully  convinced  that  the  Association  cannot  continue 
the  publication  of  the  paper.  We  owe  none  but  colored  men  and 
their  friends,  therefore  it  will  be  just  as  well  for  the  cause  of  equal 
rights  to  have  it  published  by  them  as  by  the  ALSsociation. 

But,  if  the  As  sociation  could  continue  the  publication  of  the  paper, 
1  should  think  it  better  to  make  the  change  proposed,  for  the  follow- 
ing reasons  :  As  I  have  said,  the  Union  League  of  Savannah  has 
not  thoun;ht  best  to  unite  with  us,  and  I  fear  that  they  will  do  so. 
I  am  informed  that  other  Leagues  have  been  formed  in  different  parts 
of  the  Sta^e,  and  tiiat  they  have  a  State  organization.    They  have 


I 


9 


no  organ,  but  will,  I  tuiak,  unite  in  supporting  the  Loyal  Georgian, 
if  it  is  published  by  a  stock  company.  The  white  Unioa  men  of 
thft  South,  who  met  in  convention  at  Philadelphia  in  September, 
to»k  strong  grounds  in  favor  of  justice  and  equal  rights  for  all. 
Indeed  they  advocated  the  same  p'-inciples  that  you  advocate.  They 
Wffc  in  favor  of  giving  to  co  ored  citizens  the  same  rights  that  white 
citizens  enjoy.  There  are,  then,  in  Georgia,  three  parties  who  think 
alike,  the  Republican  party,  the  Equal  Rights  Association,  and  the 
Union  League.  The  Loyal  Georgian  is  the  only  paper  in  the  State 
that  advocates  the  poliey  of  these  parties,  and  I  have  reason  to  believe 
that  the  white  Union  men  of  the  State  will  assist  the  paper,  if  it  is 
pullished  by  a  stock  company,  but,  tor  reasons  which  I  will  not  ex-* 
plain,  they  will  not  now  assist  us  very  much.  I  feel  certain  that, 
if  the  paper  is  published  by  a  stock  company,  it  will  receive  the 
assistance  of  this  Association,  the  Union  League,  and  Republican 
parby.  We  can  not  only  continue  the  publication  of  the  paper,  if  we 
receive  the  support  of  these  parties,  but  we  can  also  enlarge  it  and 
make  it  truly  a  power  in  the  State  I  say,  therefore,  that  it  is  im« 
possible,  in  my  opinion,  for  the  Association  to  continue  the  publication 
of  the  paper,  even  in  its  present  size,  but  it  can  be  published  by  a 
stock  company,  composed  of  friends  to  the  cause  we  advocate,  and,  by 
so  doing,  bring  to  its  support  all  classes  of  citizens  who  are  friendly 
to  the  cause  of  equal  rights.  ^ 

THE  POLICY  TO  BE  PURSUED  FOR  THE  YEAR  TO  COME. 

The  founders  of  this  Association  believed  in  the  truths  set  forth 
in  the  Declaration  of  Independence,  "  that  all  men  are  created  equal ; 
that  they  are  endowed  by  their  Creator  with  certain  unalienable 
rights;  that  among  these  are  life,  liberty  and  the  pursuit  of  happi- 
ness; that,  to  secure  these  rights,  governments  are  instituted  among 
men,  deriving  their  just  powers  from  the  consent  of  the  governed.'* 
To  labor  to  secure  these  rights,  this  Association  was  organized. 
Then,  the  country  had  just  passed  through  a  lorg  and  bloody  war; 
a  war  inaugurated  to  establish  a  government,  whose  corner-stone 
was  to  be  slavery.  The  North  and  the  South  had  cor  tended  for  the 
mastery;  the  South  fighving  for  slavery — the  North,  to  prevent  the 
destruction  of  the  Government.  It  is  true  that  the  slaves  were 
emancipated  by  the  North ;  but  this  was  done — not  because  it  was 
right;  not  because  slavery  was  wrong;  not  because  the  Government 
had  protected  the  worst  system  of  tyranny  that  ever  disgraced  the 
world  ;  and,  seeing  the  wickedness  of  the  institution,  (an  institution 
repugnant  to  the  theory  upon  which  the  Government  was  founded) 
had  determined  to  be  true,  at  length,  to  the  teachings  of  the  fathers 
— but  because  it  was  necessary  to  save  the  'Government.  I  have 
long  believed  that,  but  for  the  over-ruling  providence  of  God,  your 
people  would  now  be  held  in  slavery,  and  thus  held,  until  the  people 
of  this  country  had  been  educated  to  understand  the  enormity  of  the 


10 


crime  of  holding  hnman  beings  in  slavery.  Then,  no  doultj  a  war  wculd 
have  been  inaugurf^tod  to  mate  this  ffovernment,  in  fact,  as  well  as  nunc 
H  free  GovcrntnGnt,  and,  at  the  end  of  sueh  a  war,  if  the  friends  of  f-ee^ 
dorn  were  victorious,  it  would  be  unnecessary  to  agitate  the  q.uestioi  of 
justice  and  equal  ririhts,  for  citizens  who  were  guilty  of  no  crime  ;  the 
people  who  fought  for  justice  would  be  just  when  yietory  crowned  tiieir 
efforts.  But,  as  I  have  said,  the  victors  in  the  late  war  fought  to  mve 
the  Union,  and,  to  do  this,  they  found  it  necessary  to  emancipate  the 
slaves.  When  peace  was  established,  very  many  of  the  v/ar  party, per- 
haps a  majority,  certainly  a  large  minority,  were  not  in  favor  of  giving 
full  justice  to  the  emancipated  slaves,  now  citizens;  and  the  DeraO'^ 
cratic,  or  peace  party,  were  the  enemies  of  justice  and  equal  rights. 

But  the  war  party  fei-'  v  were  in  honor  bound  to  protect 

the  freedmen  in  their  civi  and  very  many,  perhaps  a  majority, 

were  in  favor  of  giving  thera  full  justice,  and  political  rights.  Ic 
was  foreseen  by  the  founders  of  this  Association  that  these  quesdons 
would  be  discussed  for  several  months,  perhaps  years  ;  and  that  the 
interests  of  the  colored  people  deinanded  that  they  should  take  a 
part  in  the  discussion.  Therefoie,  I  have  for  the  past  year  advised 
the  friends  in  every  part  of  the  State  to  discuss  political  questions, 
and  particularly  to  bring  before  the  people  the  importance  of  secur.* 
ing  impartial  suffrage,  before  the  present  Governments  of  the 
iion-rGconstructed.-8t;ites  were  recognized  by  Congress,  lleconstruc-- 
tion  is  the  great  qae^ltio^  that  has  agitated  for  several  months  past, 
and  now  agitates  the  public  mind.  At  first,  the  Republican  members 
of  Congress,  supported  by  the  Republican  party,  claimed  that,  as  the 
governments  Of  the  States  that  rebelled  had  been  overthrown,  new 
governments  could  not  be  legally  established,  except  by  the  authority 
of  Congress.  The  President,  supported  by  the  Democratic  party, 
claimed  that  the  States  had  no  authority  to  break  their  relations 
with  the  general  government,  or  secede;  therefore,  thafthey  had 
not  destroyed  rheir  former  relations  with  the  Government,  and  that 
he  had  the  authority  to  recognize  new  governments  that  were  estab- 
lished by  thoae  States.  An  issue  having  been  thus  joined,  an  ap- 
peal was  made  to  the  people,  who  are  the  jury  to  decide.  The  elec* 
tions,  that  have  been  held,  sliow  that  the  people  will  sustain  Congress, 
and  the  decision  of  Congress  must  therefore  be  junal.  While  the  Re-« 
publican  members  of  Congress  were,  at  first,  nearly  unanimous  in 
claiming  that  Congress  alone  had  the  authority  to  reconstruct  the 
rebel  States,  they  were  not,  by  any  means,  united  upon  a  policy  of 
reconstructiya ;  aud  so  long  as  they  did  not  agree,  it  was  right,  yes, 
it  was  of  great  i.,.;'Oi  lai'ce  that  the  colored  citizens  of  this  find  other 
Southern  States  should,  themselves,  in  every  honorable  and  peaceable 
way,  bring  the  attention  of  Congress  to  their  true  condition,  and, 
if  possible,  convince  them  that  no  plan  of  reconstruction  was  just  or 
safe  which  ignored  the  right  of  colored  Union  men  to  take  a  part  in 
the  new  governments,  but  allowed  disloyal  men  to  do  so  ;  thus  plac- 
ing Union  B'.en,  boih  white  and  colored,  at  the   mercy  of  rebels. 


11 


^113  h;id  for  foar  y»^rs,  plotted  the  de«trnetion  of  the  Nutional 

"Government.  Bat  the  Republican  members  of  Congress  did,  after 
mont'^^s  of  discussion,  agreo  upon  a  plan  of  recoustruction  ;  and,  as 
they  have  the  controliu'j  power  in  Corigrc33,  tbeir  pvHcy  became  the 
Congressional  policy.  An  amendmeot  to  the  Constitution  of  the 
United  States  was  submitted  to  the  States  for  their  consideration, 
with  the  understanding  that  the  non-reconstructed  States,  which 
adopt  this  amendment,  will  be  recognized  by  Congress.  This  plan 
of  reconstruction  does  not  satisfy  many,  perhaps  a  majority  of  the 
Republican  party,  nevertheless  it  is  the  policy  of  the  party,  and  those 
Southern  States  which'adopt  the  amendment,  will,  without  doubt,  • 
be  recognized  by  Congress,  although  every  colored  man  in  America 
protested.  But,  if  these  States  do  not  adopt  the  amendment  before 
the  Fortieth  Congress  assembles,  I  have  reason  to  believe  that  their 
present  governments  will  be  "  wiped  out,"  and  new  ones  established, 
enfranchising  all  loyal  men,  white  and  colored,  and  disfranchising 
a  certain  specified  class  of  men  who  have  been  disloyal,  although 
no  colored  man  should  request  it,  I  therefore  conclude  that  political 
discussion  on  the  part  of  colored  citizens  can  do  no  good  at  this  time. 
Whether  it  has  or  has  not  done  good  in  the  past,  it  matters  not. 
They  have  done  their  duty  to  themselves  and  their  race  by  entering 
upon  this  discussion. 

I  have  received  information  from  nearly  every  part  of  the  State 
that  white  men  prevent  if  possible,  the  organization  of  Subordinate 
Associations.  Several  influential  colored  men  have  been  driven  from 
their^  homes,  because  they  assisted  in  the  organization  of  these  As*" 
sociations,  and  the  lives  of  others  have  been  threatened.  I  am  con- 
vinced that  the  opposition  would  not  be  as  great  if  political  question 
were  not  discussed  at  the  meetings  of  the  Associations,  If  political 
discussions  can  do  no  good  and  may  do  harm,  they  had  better  be 
postponed  for  the  present. 

The  strongest  argument,  and  T  might  almost  say  the  only  argument, 
that  your  enemies  adduce  ia  favor  ot  withholding  from  you  the  right 
of  suffrage,  ia  the  ignorance  of  your  people.  It  would  be  folly  to 
deny  that  most  of  the  colored  people  in  the  Southern  States  are  igno^ 
rant.  Indeed  they  have  been  systematically 'kept  in  ignorance.  It 
was  no  fault  of  theirs  that  they  were  not  educated.  They  were  pre- 
vented by  cruel  laws  f^om  learning  to  read  even.  True,  some  few 
were  able  to  steal  a  little  knowledge,  but  these  usually  lived  in  the 
cities  or  largo  towns 

You  were  kept  in  ignorance  that  you  might  the  more  easily  be 
kept  in  slavery,  and,  if  you  ever  expect  to  secure  justice  and  equal 
rights,  your  people  mast  be  educated.  I  would  therefore  advise  that 
our  Association,  for  the  coming  year,  labor  to  arouse  the  colored 
people  to  the  importance  of  gai  iing  an  education,  and  that  we  estab- 
lish as  many  schools  in  the  btate  as  possible. 

I  am  informed  that  the  Northern  Associations  that  have  sent 
teachers  South  to  instruct  your  children,  will  be  able  to  ft&tablisb  bat 


12 


few  schools  in  the  State,  except  in  the  cities  and  large  towns.  For 
the  present,  we  cannot,  I  fear,  expect  that  schools  will  be  established 
for  you  by  the  State,  although  I  would  suggest  that  you  send  an 
address  to  the  Legislature  upon  the  subject,  and  bring  to  their  atten- 
tion the  importance,  justice  and  wisdom  of  providing  schools  for 
your  children,  the  same  as  for  white  children.  It  can  do  no  harm 
and  may  do  good. 

The  freed  people  will  therefore  be  obliged  to  establish  and  support 
schools  for  their  children  themselves,  or  have  none.  I  suggest,  there*^ 
fore,  that  it  shall  be  the  work  of  our  Association,  for  the  coming 
year,  to  establish  schools  in  every  county  in  the  State.  Let  the  Vice 
Presidents  be  instructed  to  establish  schools  in  their  counties  for 
children,  and  let  the  Subordinate  Associations  be  night  schools,  if 
possible,  where  men  and  women  may,  at  least,  learn  to  read  and  write. 
Subordinate  Association  No.  2,  of  Augusta,  has  already  established 
a  night  school,  and  the  other  Subordinate  Associations  of  that  city 
will  soon  do  the  same.  The  members  who  attend  the  school  pay 
one  dollar  per  month  into  the  treasury,  and  appoint  a  committee  of 
three  to  employ  the  superintendent  of  the  school.  If  you  shall, 
during  the  year,  establish  schools  in  every  county  in  the  State,  it 
will  be  regarded  by  your  friends,  everywhere,  as  one  of  the  most 
remarkable  undertakings  ever  accomplished  by  a  people  just  emanci- 
pated from  slavery. 

i 

GENERAL  TILLSON. 

I  accepted  the  position  of  President  of  this  Association  the  more 
willingly,  because  my  relatioos  with  General  Tillson — the  Assistant 
Commissioner  of  the  Freedmen's  Bureau  for  this  State — were  of  a 
very  friendly  nature,  and  I  felt  that  I  might,  by  bringing  to  his 
attention  the  true  condition  of  the  colored  people,  assist  them  more 
than  any  other  person,  who  would  consent  to  accept  the  position.  I 
am  pleased  to  say  that,  for  many  weeks  my  anticipations  were  realized; 
but  I  was  pained  to  discover  that,  in  my  opinion,  the  General  was 
less  and  less  willing  to  protect  the  freedmen,  as  I  thought  he  might ; 
by  degrees,  our  relatioips  became  less  and  less  satisfactory  to  myself. 

In  the  latter  part  of  May,  an  attempt  was  made,  by  the  teachers 
of  the  colored  schools  of  Augusta,  to  enter  the  city  cemetery  with 
their  scholar:-i,  for  the  purpose  of  strewing  flowers  over  the  gravea 
of  Union  soldiers,  who  lie  buried  in  that  cemetery.  They  were  met 
at  the  entrance  by  the  Mayor  and  a  large  force  of  armed  policemen, 
and  admission  denied  to  colored  children,  unless  they  entered  as  the 
servants,  or  slaves,  of  the  white  persoos  present,  to  carry  flowers 
for  them.  The  teachers  and  their  white  friends  refused  to  enter 
upon  such  conditions,  and  returned  to  a  church  near  by.  It  was 
there  decided  to  send  a  committee  to  General  Tillson,  and  request 
that  he  would  protect  the  colored  children  in  their  effort  to  do  honor 
to  the  memory  of  the  Union  dead.    He  not  only  very  unexpectedly 


13 


refused  to  do  so,  but  he  declared  that  he  was  opposed  to  t[je  whole 
affair.  I  gave  an  account  of  the  difficulty  in  the  Ijoyal  Georgian, 
and,  for  doing  so,  he  commencei  a  system  of  persecution,  unrelcntiD}i:, 
unmerciful  and  unscrupulous.  I  was  charged  with  robbing  colored 
men  of  money  which  they  contributed  for  the  paper,  and,  in  fact, 
Tvith  almost  every  crime  known  to  men.  I  denied  the  charges,  and 
requested  that  a  committee  might  be  appointed,  before  which  I  would 
appear  and  meet  every  charge  that  might  be  made.  He  refused  to 
do  this,  but  continued  to  repeat  the  charges.  When  the  Council  met 
in  July  last,  I  informed  the  members  that  charges  had  been  made 
against  me  by  General  Tillson,  and  requested  that  they  might  be  • 
investigated  by  a  committee.  A  committee  was  appointed,  and,  after 
two  days  careful  investigation,  they  made  a  report  fully  exhonorating 
me  ;  nevertheless,  the  General  came  before  the  Council,  and  in  a  most 
violent  and  ungentlemanly,  I  might  almost  say  disgraceful  and  reck- 
less manner,  repeated  the  charges  which  had  been  already  proved  to 
be  false;  calling  mea  lier,  a  scoundrel,  a  thief  and  a  beggar.  He 
also  made  a  speech  which  contained  much  valuable  information.  A 
resolution  was  passed,  thanking  him  for  the  speech.  I  am  aware 
that  it  was  the  intention  of  the  Council  to  thank  him  for  the  informa- 
tion which  the  speech  contained,  upon  subjects  that  had  no  relation 
to  myself,  and  that  nearly  every  m3mber  of  the  Council  disapproved 
of  that  part  of  the  speech  which  related  to  myself,  but  a  different 
impression  has  been  made  upon  the  public  mind,  to  a  certain  ex- 
tent. I  therefore  ask  that,  in  justice  to  myself,  the  resolution  of 
thanks  be  expunged  from  the  records  of  the  Council. 

Many  persons  have  thought  that  I  have  had  a  personal  quarrel 
with  Gen.  Tillson,  and  that  I  have  used  the  Loyal  Georgian  as  a  me« 
dium  through  which  I  could  gratify  feelings  of  haired  against  that 
officer.  Such  persons  entirely  misunderstand  the  difficulty.  My 
relations  with  the  General  were  of  a  very  friendly  nature,  previous 
to  the  attempt  to  do  honor  to  the  memory  of  the  Union  dead  who  lie 
buried  in  the  cemetery  at  Augusta,  and  up  to  the  very  day,  when 
an  account  of  that  affair  appeared  in  the  columns  of  the  Loyal  Geor- 
gian. I  published  that  account,  not  because  I  had  feelings  of 
hatred  to  gratify,  for  I  had  no  such  feelings  towards  General  Tills 
son  ;  on  the  contrary,  as  I  have  said,  my  relations'with  that  officer, 
and  with  his  family,  were  of  a  very  friendly^  nature ;  but  I  publish.-, 
ed  the  account,  because  I  felt  that  the  memory  of  the  brave  Union 
soldiers  who  had  died  in  defence  of  their  country  had  been  insulted. 
I  felt  that  a  General  of  the  United  States  Army  had  disgraced  him- 
self to  please  men  who  had  fought  to  destroy  the  country,  and  had 
killed  the  very  men  whose  graves  we  desired  to  decorate  with  flowers. 
And  because  I  published  this  account,  I  have  been  assailed  by  rebels 
and  dough>face  officers  who  are  a  thousand  times  meaner  and  more 
contemptable  than  rebels,  for  many  of  the  former  are  honest,  while 
the  latter  are  ready  to  crawl  in  the  dirt  to  gain  a  little  popularity. 

The  Augusta  cemetery  is  under  the  control  of  the  city  authori- 


ti««.  They  have  no  more  authority  to  prevent  colored  citizens  frora 
euterinof  it.,  than  they  have  to  deny  that  right  to  white  citizens.  The 
Civil  Kights  Bill  dec';ires,  'that  all  persons,  born  in  the  United 
States,  and  not  subject  to  any  foreion  power,  excludini?  Indians  not 
tixed/  are  citizeos  of  the  United  Shitcs.  Colored  men  being  citizens, 
it  follows  of  course  that  they  are  entitled  to  all  and  the  same  civil 
rights  to  which  white  citizeus  are  entitled,  and  that  they  can  not 
legally  be  denied  them,  any  law,  statute,  ordinance,  regulation  or 
custom  to  the  contrary  notwithstanding.  Colored  citizens  in  Au- 
gusta were  denied  the  privilege  of  entering  the  cemetery  by  the 
Mayor,  but  he  would  allow  v^hite  citizens  to  enter.  General  Tillson 
*  was  appealed  to,  to  protect  the  colored  citizens,  and,  as  an  officer  of 
the  Freedmen's  Bureau,  it'  was  his  duty.  A  few  weeks  later,  the 
city  authorities  of  Savannah  forbid  the  colored  citizens  from  enter- 
ing the  city  park,  and  General  Tillson  interfered  in  their  fa'vor.  If 
be  coui  :  interfere  in  one  case,  he  could  in  the  other.  Colored  citizens 
wished  to  enter  a  city  cemetery  to  decorate,  with  flowers,  the  graves 
of  men  who  had  fouoht  to  make  them  free,  and,  beiug  prevented^ 
General  Tillsoi^  refused  to  interfere  in  their  behalf.  Colored  citi- 
zens wished  to  enter  a  city  park  for  pleasure,  a,nd,  being  prevented, 
General  Tillson  did  interfere  in  their  behalf. 

I  have  demanded,  ana  I  shall  continue  to  demand  that  colored 
citizeDS  shall  be  protected  in  the  full  and  free  enjoyment  of  all  the 
rights  to  whioh  they  sre  entitled.  This  I  shall  do,  although  Gen. 
Tillson  and  all  the  rebels  and  dough-face  Generals  from  the  Potomac 
to  the  Gulf  denounce  me.  But  1  do  not  wish  that  my  friends 
shall  misunderstand  my  motives. 


CONCLUSION. 

My  friends,  you  have  much  to  encourage  you.  One  year  ago, 
but  few  white  Union  men  in  the  South  were  willing  to  give  you 
equal  political  rights ;  now  they  t/smr^ncZ  these  rights  for  you :  one 
year  ago,  there  was  no  party  at  the  South  that  advocated  your  cause; 
now  the  Republican  party  is  organized,  or  is  being  Organized  in  every 
Southern  State.  *  This  is  tbe  party  of  freedom  and  progress,  'tis  the 
party  that  conducted  the  war,  that  saved  the  country  and  made  you 
free.  Thanking  God  for  what  be  has  already  done  for  you,  take 
courage,  and  enter  upon  the  work  that  now  presents  itself  with  fresh 
zeal.  Labor  to  educate  your  people,  and,  while  your  white  friends 
are  laboring  to  secure  for  you  those  rights  to  which  you  are  entitled, 
show  by  your  own  industry,  economy  and  good  behavior,  that  you 
will  make  good  use  of  political  rights,  when  they  are  granted  to  you. 

On  motion  of  Rev  II  M  Turner,  of  Bibb,  the  rules  of  the  last 
Convention  were  adopted  to  govern  this  Convention.  Kev  Lewis 
Smith,  of  Bibb,  was  appointed  Marshall  of  the  Convention;  Mr 


15 


Wiley  McOlencn  and  Mr  Wra  Clarke,  Assistant  Mftrshalls ;  Rev 

Robert  Anderson  was  chosen  Chaplain  of  the  Cenvention. 

On  motion  of  II  M  i  urner,  of  Bibh,  voted  that  a  Committee  On 
Adth-ess  and  Ike  Condition  of  the  Colored  Peojjle  in  tke  State  bo 
appointed.  The  fodlowiog  j>;entlemen  were  appointed :  Kev  H  M 
Turner  of  Bibb,  Sherman  of  Dougherty,  3IcAlistcr  of  IMorgau,  Brooks 
of  Newton,  Jas  Benifield  of  Monroe. 

The  President  appointed  the  following  additional  Committees  : 

On  Resolutions :  Andrew  Jackson  of  I^uUon,  Gardiner  of  Han- 
cock, Harris  of  Warren,  and  Bacon  of  Clarke. 

On  Constitution  and  PO'Uy  of  the  Association  :  Heath  of  War* 
ren,  Mann  of  Fulton,  Cokiuc  of  Cobb,  and  Travis  of  Monroe, 

A  resolution  was  unanimously  passed  inviting  the  members  of  the 
Union  League  to  seats  on  the  floor  of  the  Convention,  llevs  Flagg, 
Turner,  and  Purdy  were  appointed  a  committee  to  inform  the  mem- 
bers of  the  Union  League  of  the  action  of  the  Association.  Mr  Jno 
A  Rockwdl,  Superintendent  of  Free  Schools  at  Macon,  under  tho 
American  Missionary  'Association,  was  introduced  to  the  Convention 
by  the  President. 

The  remainder  of  the  day  was  spent  in  hearing  the  reports  of  the 
delegates  from  the  different  counties  giving  an  account  of  the  cou^ 
dition  of  the  colored  people  in  the  counties  which  they  represented. 

EVENING  SESSION. 

The  Convention  was  called  to  order  at  7  o'clock  by  the  President. 

Rev  Andi*ew  Jackson,  of  Fulton,  from  the  Committee  on  Resolu- 
tions, reported  the  following,  which,  after  debate,  were  adopted: 

Resolved,  That  '  we  hold  these  truths  to  be  self-evident,  that  all. 
men  are  created  equal,  that  they  are  endowed  by  their  creator  with 
certain  unalienable  rights,  that  among  thesH  are  life,  liberty,  and  the 
pursuit  of  happiness.  That  to  secure  these  rights,  governments  are 
instituted  among  men  deriving  their  just  powers  from  the  consent  of 
the  governed.' 

Resolved,  That  in  regard  to  the  franchise,  we  will  never  cease  to 
protest  against  all  partial  legislation,  based  on  color  or  race,  or  other 
adventituous  distinctions. 

Resolved,  That  while  we  protest  against  all  partial  legislation,  and 
while  we  demand  equal  rights  for  all  citizens,  we  recomm3nd  that 
for  the  coming  year  the  members  of  our  Association  refrain  from 
public  political  discussion  in  the  meetings  of  the  Association,  and 
exert  their  entire  infiuenee  tr  establish  schools  and  educate  the  people. 

Resolved,  That  we  advise  our  friends  to  hold  educational  conven>* 
tions  in  each  of  the  Congressional  Districts  of  the  State  during  th& 
coming  year. 

Resolved,  That  we  cordially  approve  of  the  noble  course  pursued 
by  the  Loyal  Georgian,  and  the  able  and  fearless  manner  in  which 


16 


}k)S  ndvocated  our  cause,  and  exposed  all  men  wlio  liavc  sought  to 
ileprive  us  of  our  rights. 

Resolved,  That  wo  request  our  friends  to  do  all  ia  their  power  to 
sustain  the  Loyal  Georgian. 

Resolved,  That  whereas  General  Davis  Tillson  came  into  a  meet^ 
ing  of  the  Council  of  this  Association,  and  denaunced  our  President 
— Captain  J.  E.  Brjant — as  a  liar,  a  scoundrel,  a  begorar,  and  a 
villain,  and  whereas  a  vote  of  thanks  was  passed  by  the  Council  for 
his  speech,  not  intending  thereby  to  thank  him  for  denouncing  our 
President,  but  for  the  valuable  information  which  the  speech  con" 
tained,  concerning  matters  which  were  of  interest  to  our  people,  and 
did  not  relate  to  Captain  Brjant,  and  whereas  the  intention  of  the 
members  of  the  Council  in  passing  the  resolution  has  been  misunder- 
stood, we  direct  the  Secretary  of  the  Council  to  expunge  the  resolu- 
tion from  the  records  of  the  Couneil. 

Resolved,  That  whereas  we  have  received  no  protection  from  the 
civil  authorities,  we  call  upon  the  good  citizens  of  the  State  to  come 
to  our  relief,  and  help  us  to  secure  justice  for  our  people. 

Resolved,  That  we  request  the  Loyal  Georgian,  the  New  York 
Tribune,  and  all  other  papers  friendly  to  our  cause  to  publish  these 
resolutions. 

THIRD  DAY. 

President  called  Convention  to  order  at  9  o'clock,  A.  M.  Prayer 
by  Rev  Wm  H  Harris,  of  Warren.  Minutes  read  and  approved. 
The  following  resolution  was  offered  by  Mr  Mann,  of  Fulton,  and 
unanimously  adopted: 

Resolved,  That  we  request  Rev  H  M  Turner  to  act  as  a  delegate 
to  represent  the  colored  people  of  Georgia,  at  Washington  City. 

The  appointment  was  accepted  by  Mr  Turner  in  a  few  eloquent 
and  appropriate  remarks. 

On  motion  of  Uev  W  J  White,  of  Richmond, 

Resolved,  That  we  tender  to  the  trustees  of  the  African  Metho- 
dist Episcopal  Church,  and  to  the  friends  of  Macon,  our  warmest 
thanks  for  their  kindness  in  placing  this  church  at  our  disposal,  and 
for  their  hospitality  during  the  session  of  our  convention. 

The  Committee  on  Amendments  reported  recommending  certaia 
amendments,  which,  after  a  lengthy  debate,  were  adopted. 

(The  Constitution  as  amended  is  published  herewith.) 

On  motion  of  Rev  Mr  Turner,  of  Bibb, 

Resolved^  That  the  President  and  Secretary  prepare,  and  have 
the  minutes  of  this  Convention  published  in  pamphlet  form  and 
distributed  to  the  different  counties. 

On  motion  of  William  J  White,  of  Richmond  county. 
Resolved,  That  our  delegate  to  Washington  be  instructed  to  pre- 
sent a  copy  of  the  proceedings  of  this  Convention  to  the  President 
of  the  United  States  and  the  Governor  of  Georgia ;  to  the  President 


17 


of  the  United  StJites  Senate,  titid  of  the  Senate  of  Georgia ;  to  thd 
Speaker  of  the  House  of  Representatives  of  the  United  States,  and  of 
the  Sta^e  of  Georgia. 

On  motion  of  Holsey,  of  Hancock  county, 

Resohcd,  That  tiie  thanks  of  the  Convention  be  hereby  tendered 
to  the  President  of  this  Association  for  the  impartial  and  faithful 
performance  of  his  duties. 

Resolved^  That  the  thanks  of  the  Convention  be  tendered  to  Rev 
Wm  J  White,  the  Secretiry,  llobt  Johnson,  Second  Assistant  Secre- 
tary, for  the  faithful  performance  of  iheir  duties. 

Resolved,  That  the  thanks  of  the  Convention  be  tendered  to  Lewis 
Smith,  of  Macon,  Marshal  of  the  Convention,  and  to  his  Assistants^ 
for  the  polite  and  gentlemanly  manner  in  which  they  have  performed 
their  duties. 

Major  G  L  Eberhart,  Superintendent  of  Schools  under  the  Freed- 
men's  Bureau  was  elected  St^perintendent  of  Schools  under  this 
Association. 

After  prayer  by  Rev  Wm  J  White,  the  contention  adjourned  5me  die. 
 0  — 

The  following  are  the  resolutions  adopted  by  the  Convention : 

Resolvedy  That  'we  hold  these  truths  to  be  self-evident,  that  all 
men  are  created  equal,  tSat  they  are  endowed  by  their  creator 
with  certain  unalienable  rights,  that  among  these  are  life  liberty 
and  pursuit  of  happiness.  That  to  secure  these  rights,  governments 
are  instituted  among  men,  deriving  their  just  powers  from  the 
consent  of  the  governed.' 

Resolved,  That  in  regard  to  the  franchise,  we  will  never  cease  to 
protest  against  all  partial  legislation,  based  on  color  or  race,  or  other 
adventitious  distinctioiis. 

Resolved^  That  while  we  protest  against  all  partial  legislation,  and 
while  we  demand  Equal  Ilights  for  all  citizens,  we  recommend 
that  for  the  coming  year  the  members  of  our  Association  refrain 
from  public  political  discussion  in  the  meetings  of  the  Association, 
and  exert  their  entire  influence  to  establish  schools  and  educate  the 
people. 

Resolved,  That  we  advise  our  friends  to  hold  educational  conven»» 
tiuns  in  each  of  the  Congressional  Districts  of  the  State  during  the 
coming  year. 

Re':olved,  That  we  cordially  approve  of  the  noble  course  pursued 
by  the  Loyal  Georgian,  and  the  able  and  fearless  manner  in  which 
it  has  advocated  our  cause,  and  exposed  all  men  who  have  sought  to 
deprive  us  of  our  rights. 

Resolved,  That  we  request  our  friends  to  do  all  in  their  power  to 
sustain  the  Loyal  Georgian. 

Resolved,  That  whereas  General  Davis  Tillson  came  into  a  meeting 
of  the  council  of  this  Association,  and  denounced  our  President — 
Capt  J  E  Bryant — as  a  liar,  a  scoundrel  a  btggar  and  a  villain, 
and  whereas  a  vote  of  thanks  was  pas^-ed  Wy  the  couuuil  for  his 


18 


speecb,  not  in^'encli.ig  thereby  to  thank  him  for  denouncing  our  Presi- 
d'.ot,  but  for  5  he  valuable  information  which  the  speech  contained, 
concerning  mutters  which  were  of  interest  to  our  people,  and  did  not 
relaio  to  Captain  Bryiint,  and  whereas  the  iatention  of  the  members 
of  the  council  in  passing  the  i'esolution  has  been  misunderstood, 
we  direct  the  Secretary  of  the  council  to  expunge  the  resolution 
from  the  ^cords  of  the  council. 

Rewlvm^  That  the  thanks  of  the  Convention  be  hereby  tendered 
to  the  President  of  this  Association  for  the  impartial  and  faithful 
performance  of  his  duties. 

Resolved,  That  whereas  we  hav«  received  no  protection  from  the 
civil  authorities  we  call  upon  the  good  citizens  of  the  iState  to  come 
to  our  relief,  and  help  us  to  secure  justice  for  our  people. 

Resolved^  That  whereas  the  colored  people  of  this  State  are  daily 
receiving  the  most  uJijast  treatment  on  the  cars,  having  to  pay  as 
much  as  white  passengers  while  th||;^  are  consigned  to  the  most 
filthy  cars,  oi'ten  cursed  and  driveti  about;  their  v^^ivcs  and  daughters 
insulted,  blackguarded  and  smoked  to  sickness;  thereiore  we  bitterly 
protest  against  such  conduct,  it  being  outrageous  and  inhuman  and  we 
declare  that  we  will  not  much  longer  submit  to  it. 

Resolved^  That  whereas  a  large  majority  of  the  Bureau  Agents 
are  Southern  men  who  will  not  take  notice  of  outrages  perpetrated 
upon  our  people,  we  most  respectfully  req'^^est  the  United  States 
Government  to  give  us  Northern  Agents  or  allow  colored  men  to 
hold  these  offices. 

Resolved^  That  we  bitterly  protest  against  the  colored  people  of 
Georgia,  being  levied  upon  for  poll  tax  until  they  are  given  the  right 
to  vote,  but  they  are  willing  to  pay  all  other  taxes  when  no  more  is 
exacted  than  is  required  of  white  men. 

Resolved,  That  the  thanks  of  the  Convention  be  tendered  to  Rev 
Wm  J  White,  the  Secretary,  Bobt  Johnson,  Second  Assistant  Secre- 
tary, and  to  the  Marshal,  Lewis  Smith,  and  his  Assistants. 

Resolved^  That  we  request  the  Loyal  Georgian,  the  ^ew  York 
Tribune,  and  ail  other  papers  friendly  to  our  cause  to  publish  these 
resolutions. 

J.  E.  Bryant,  President. 

Wm.  J.  White,  Secretary. 

CONSTITUTION  OF  THE  GEORGIA  EQUAL  RIGHTS 
AND  EDUCATIONAL  ASSOCIATION. 

PREAMBLE. 

We,  the  friends  of  inpartial  justice  in  Georgia,  in  Convention 
assembled,  feeling  that  the  time  has  come  when  u^e  shou  d  unite  to 
advance  the  cause  we  advocate^  do  form  ourselves  into  an  Association, 
for  the  purpose,  among  other  things,  of  assisting  the  destitute  and 
improving  thoso  who* need  our  assistance.    Our  motto  shall  be, 


'Peace  and  Good  Will  to  All  Men.'  The  object  of  the  Associafcion 
filiail  be  to  establish  schools  and  labor  to  secure  for  every  citizen, 
without  regard  to  race,  descent  or  color,  equal  poiiticai  rights.  To 
secure  this  ob!cct  we  will  labor  peaceably,  but  earnestly,  i 

ART.  I — NAME — This  A<-\^ociation  shall  be  known  as  The  Geor- 
gia Equal  Rights  and  Educational  Aasociation.  •  * 

ART:  II — OFFICERS — The  ofiicers  of  this  Association  shall  be  a 
President,  one  Vice  President  from  each  county,  Recording  Secre- 
tary, Corresponding  Secretary,  Chaplain,  Treasurer,  Superintend- 
ent of  Schools,  and  such  committees  as  the  Association  shall 
elect. 

ART.  Ill— ELECTION  OF  OFFICE — The  ofhcers  chosen  by  this 
Association  shall  be  elected  by  ballot  at  the  regular  meeting  in  Octo- 
ber, and  remain  in  office  three  years,  providing,  however,  that  the 
first  election  shall  take  place  in  January  1866,  and  the  second  in 
October  1868.  All  officers  are  to  continue  in  office  until  their 
places  are  filled.  Vacancies  may  be  filled  at  any  of  the  regular 
meetings. 

Each  county  shall  elect  the  Vice  President  to  which  it  is  entitled. 
*  It  shall  be  the  duty  of  the  President,  or  of  a  Deputy  President, 
to  superintend  the  election  in  each  county. 

The  President  shall  commission  the  Vice  Presidents  who  have 
been  duly  elected. 

ART.  IV — DITTIES  OF  OFFICERS — Scc.  1.  It  shall  be  the  duty  of 
the  President  to  preside  at  ail  meetings  of  the  Association  and  Council. 

He  shall  appoint  all  committees  who  are  not  elected  by  the 
Association  or  Council. 

He  shall  appoint  as  many  Deputy  Presidents  as  he  may  deem 
necessary  who  shali  perform  such  duiie8,  not  in  conflict  with  the 
provisions  of  this  Constitution,  as  the  President  may  direct. 

He  shall  have  power  to  appoint  officers  to  fill  all  vacancies  that 
may  arise  and  appoint  Vice  Presidents  in  counties  where  none  have 
been  elected  until  an  elec!ion  yhall  be  held. 

He  shall  establish  an  office  and  give  his  personal  attention  to  all 
matters,  that  may  advance  the  interest  of  the  Association  or  the 
cause  which  it  advocates. 

He  shall  nominate  to  the  Council  such  officers  as  they  are  author^ 
ized  to  elect,  and  if  a  person  nominated  shall  be  rejected  by  the 
Council,  it  shall  bo  his  duty  to  nominate  another  person,  and  con- 
tinue to  nominate  until  a  choice  Is  made. 

It  shall  be  his  duty  to  see  that  all  officers  of  this  Association 
faithfully  perform  the  duties  assigned  thetu,  and,  for  bad  conduct, 
he  may  suspetid  an  officer,  providing  'two  thirds  of  the  Council 
concur  therein. 

Whenever  he  shall  think  proper  to  su*^pend  an  officer  he,  shall 
immediately  order  the  offi::er  to  deliver  to  him  all  books,  papers  or 
other  property,  belonging  to  the  Association,  and  shall,  as  soon  as 
practicable,  call  a  meeting  of  the  Council,  and  if  twu-thirds  of  the 


,20 


Council  approve  of  the  action  of  tlie  President,  the  officer  shall  be 
suspended  until  the  next  meeting  of  the  Association. 

He  shall  fill  the  vacancy  until  the  CouDcil  have  decided  the  matter. 

He  shall  sign  orders  for  the  Treasurer  to  pay  money,  voted  by 
the  Council  or  the  State  Association  and  none  others,  unless  special- 
ly authorized  to  do  so  by  the  Council  or  State  Association. 

He  shall  call  a  meeting  of  the  Council,  whenever,  in  his  opinion, 
the  good  of  the  cause  demands,  and  shall  transact  any  business, 
not  in  conflict  with  the  constitution,  which  he  shall  be  instructed  by 
the  State  Association  or  the  council  to  transact,  or  that  he  may 
consider  necessary  for  the  good  of  the  cause. 

2.  It  shall  be  the  duty  of  one  of  the  Vice  Presidents,  desig- 
nated by  the  Council,  when  the  State  Association  is  not  in  session, 
to  perform  the  duties  of  the  President,  when,  for  any  cause,  he 
is  unable  to  perform  them.  And  if  a  vacancy  arises  when  the  Council 
is  not  in  session,  the  President  may  designate  one  of  the  Vice  Presi^ 
dents  to  perform  his  duties. 

Each  Vice  President  shall  be  President  of  the  County  Association 
if  there  be  one  in  the  county  in  which  he  lives,  during  the  time  he 
remains  Vice  President,  and  shall  labor  to  promote  the  interests 
of  the  Associatiou  in  his  county. 

3.  It  shall  be  the  duty  of  the  Eecording  Secretary  to  keep  a 
correct  and  impartial  record  of  all  the  proceedings  of  the  Associa'* 
tion,  and,  to  attend  to  any  business  that  the  Association  may  direct. 

4.  The  Corresponding  Secretary  shall  condnct  the  corre- 
spondence of  the  Association  and  Council,  under  the  direction  of 
the  President. 

5.  The  Chaplain  *  shall  open  all  the  meetings  of  the  Associa^ 
tion  with  prayer. 

6.  Tho.  Treasurer  shall  be  elected  by  the  Council,  and  may 
be  removed  by  the  same,  upon  the  recommendation  of  the  President, 
whenever,  in  his  opinion,  the  Treasurer  shall  not  faithfully  perform 
his  duties. 

He  shaU.  have  charge  of  all  money  or  other  property,  belonging  to 
the  Association,  and  shall  give  to  the  President  a  bond  in  such  sum 
as  the  Council  may  require  for  the  faithful  discharge  of  his 
duties. 

He  shall  pay  out  no  money  except  upon  order,  approved  by  the 
President  and  signed  by  the  Secretary  of  the  Council. 

He  shall  invest  the  money  in  his  hands  in  such  a  manner  as  the 
Council  may  direct. 

AKT.  V — MEMBERS — Tho  membcTS  of  this  Association  shall 
be  elected  annually  by  the  Subordinate  Associations. 

Each  Subordinate  Association  shall  be  entitled  to  one  representa* 
tive,  and  one  for  each  three  hundred  members  or  for  a  fraction 
over  half  that  number. 

The  members  of  the  Convention  which  form  this  Constitut'on 
firjd  the  officers  elect  of  the  Association  shall  be  honorary  members 


21 


of  the  same  and  shall  remain  permanent  members  and  bo  entitled  to 
all  the  riglits  and  privileges  of  other  members.  ' 

The  members  shall  be  elected  at  the  first  rpfjular  meeting  in 
September.  In  case  of  a  vacancy,  a  representative  shxU  be  elected 
as  soon  as  practicable  to  fill  the  unexpired  term  of  such  member. 

No  person  shall  be  a  member  of  this  Association  under  the  age  of 
twenty  none  years. 

AE,T.  VI — COUNCIL— Sec.  1.  The  President  and  Vice  President 
shall  constitute  a  council  to  attend  to  such  business  as  is  delegated 
to  them  by  this  Constitution  or  which  the  State  Associatioa  may  in* 
struct  tnera  to  perform. 

They  shall  elect  annually  a  delegate  to  congress,  (until  the  right 
of  suffrage  shall  be  given  to  all  men  without  regard  to  race  or  color), 
who  shall  be  nominated  by  tho  President. 

'  If  they  shall  not  elect  the  person  nominated  by  the  President, 
they  shall  continue  to  ballot  f«r  a  person  nominated  by  him,  uutil 
a  choice  is  made. 

The  delegate  to  Congress  will  be  elected  in  October.  In  case 
of  a  vacency,  a  delegate  shall  be  elected  as  soon  as  practicable,  to 
fill  the  same. 

The  Council  shall  be  called  together  by  the  President  whenever, 
in  his  opinion,  this  is  necessary,  and  shall  be  empowered  to  trans- 
act any  business  not  in  conflict  with  the  Constitution. 

They  shall  decide  what  compensation  each  ofiicer  shall  receive. 

When  an  officer  has  been  suspended  by  the  Council,  they  shall  fill 
the  vacancy  until  the  State  Association  shall  take  action  in  regard  to  it. 

They  shall  elect  a  Secretary  who  shall  act  as  private  Secretary 
to  the  President,  and  perform  such  duties  as  the  Council  or 
President  may  direct. 

The  Secretary  of  the  Council  shall  remain  in  office  one  year,  and 
shall  be  electt.  d  annually  in  October. 

The  Council  may,  by  a  two-thirds  vote,  suspend  the  President 
whenever  he  shall  violate  this  Constitution,  in  which  case,  they  shall 
imniediately  call  a  meeting  of  the  State  Association,  and,  if  two 
thirds  of  the  Association  approved  of  the  action  of  the  Council,  the 
President  shall  be  expelled  from  office,  and  they  shall  also  suspend 
any  other  officer  for  a  violation  of  the  Constitution,  neglect  of  duty 
or  gross  immoraliiy. 

A  majority  of  the  Council  shall  constitute  a  quorum  for  the 
transaction  of  business. 

ART.  VII — Sec.  1.  The  State  Association  shall  meet  annually, 
in  the  month  of  October. 

The  time  and  place  for  holding  the  session  shall  be  fixed  by  the  Presi- 
dent unless  tbC  Association  or  Coancil  shall  attend  to  that  duty. 

i  he  President  or  Couucil  may  cdl  an  extra  meeting  of  the 
Association  when  they  consider  it  necessary. 

ART.  VfTI — BY-LAWS — This  Association  may  make  any  Bys 
Jjaws  not  inconsistent  with  the  Constitution. 


22 


ART.  TX  COUNTY  AND  SUBORDINATE  ASSOCIATIONS— Thls  AsSOcI- 

aiiou  ruay  t.rganize  County  and  Sub  -rdinate  Associations,  at  such 
pjnccp  and  under  such  regulations  as  it  may  deem  proper. 

ART  X — CONSTITUTION — This  Constitution  may  be  altered  or 
amended  at  any  regular  meeting  of  this  Association  by  a  two^thirds 
vote  providing  that  notice  shall  be  given  in  Writing,  by  the  member 
submitting  an  amendment,  at  least  24  hours  before  action  shall  be  taken. 

CONSTITUTTOX  OF  COUNTY  EQUAL  RIGHTS  AND 
EDUCATIONAL  ASSOCIATION. 

PKSAMBLE. 

We  the  friends  of  impartial  jestice,  believing  that  in  union  there 
is  strength,  do  organize  ourselves  into  an  Association  to  secure  for 
all  :  1st,  equal  political  rights;  2d, 'kssistanco  for  the  destitute;  and 
3d,  the  education  and  elevation  of  the  people. 

ART.  1 — THE  NA'vTc  -  The  name  of  this  Association  shall  be  the 
CouHty  E'.iua]  liisbts  and  Educational  Association. 

ART.  II — oFFiCGRs— The  ofUcors  of  the  Association  shall  be  a 
President,  a  Vice  President,  a  Secretary,  a  Treasurer,  a  Chaplain, 
an  Examining  Committee  of  Five,  and  a  Financial  Committee  of  S"x. 

ART.  Ill — The  President,  Vice  President,  Secretary,  Treasurer, 
and  Chaplain  shall  be  elected  by  ballot  annually:,  at  the  first  meeting 
in  January.  All  the  committees  shall  be  appointed  by  the  President 
on  the  night  of  his  election,  or  as  soon  after  as  may  be  practicable. 
All  officers  are  to  continue  until  their  places  are  filled.  Vacancies 
may  be  filled  at  any  of  the  regular  meetings. 

ART.  IV — DUTIES  OF  OFFICERS — Scc.  I.  It  sball  bo  the  duty 
of  the  President  to  preside  at  all  meetings  ;  to  call  an  extra  meeting 
whenever  he  may  deem  it  advisable,  or  upon  tho  request  of  five 
members,  to  initiate  new  members,  and  to  perform  all  duties  that 
may  devolve  upon  him  by  the  Constitution  and  By-Lavrs 

2.  It  shall  be  the  duty  of  the. Vice  President,  in  the  absence  of 
the  President  to  perform  his  duties. 

3.  It  shall  be  the  duty  of  the  Secretary  to  keep  a  true  and 
impartial  record  o:  the  doings  of  the  Associatiou,  and  in  the  absence 
of  the  President  and  Vice  President  to  call  extra  meetings  of  the 
Association  by  the  request  of  five  members,  and  attend  to  such  other 
duties  as  the  Association  may  direct. 

4.  It  shall  be  the  duty  of  the  Treasurer  to  take  charge  of  and  safely 
keep  all  monies  and  other  property  entrusted  to  him  by  the  Associa- 
tion, and  pay  out  the  same  only  upon  a  requisition  drav^n  according  to 
a  vote  of  the  Association,  and  signed  by  the  President  and  ^'ecretary. 
He'  shall  report  or:ce  a  quarter,  and  as  much  oftener  as  the  society 
may  direct.  He  shall  give  the  President  a  bond  in  such  sum  as  the 
Association  may  require  fJr  the  faithful  performance  of  his  duties. 

5.  The  Chaplr.in  shall  open  all  the  meetings  with  prayer. 


*23 


6.  The  Executive  Committee  wsball  faithfully  attend  to  all  duties 
iiD posed  on  them  from  time  to  time  makinjr  a  report  when  called  upon. 

7.  It  shall  be  the  duty  of  the  Examinin<y  Committee  carefuliy  to 
examine  all  propositions  for  membership  to  the  Association  and  when 
received  by  a  constitutional  vote,  to  examine  the  candidate  before 
initiated,  and  report  to  the  President  u  )on  the  same. 

8.  It  shall  be  the  duty  of  the  Financial  Commif,toe  to  make  all 
necessary  arrangements  f:>r  furnishing  the  Association  with  needed 
funds,  and  to  perform  such  other  duties  as  the  society  may  ree[uire 
of  them. 

ART.  V — MEMBERS— Sec.  1.  All  persons  who  are  members  of 
the  State  Association  from  this  county  shall  be  members  of  the 
County  Association,  having  all  the  privileges  of  other  members 
except  the  privilege  to  vote. , 

4.  The  President  and  Vice  President  of  each  Subordinate  Asso-n 
ciation  in  this  county,  and  Representatives  constiturionaliy  elected 
from  the  same  shall  be  members  of  the  County  Association. 

ART.  VJ. — -If  there  is  but  one  Association  in  a  county  it  shall 
have  the  powers,  and  perform  the  duties  conlerred  upon  the  County 
and  Subordinate  Associations. 

ART.  VII — BY-LAWS — This  Asaociation  is  authorized  to  make 
any  By  Laws  not  in  conflict  with  the  State  Association. 

ART,  VIII — The  meetings  oi  this  Association  may  be  public  or 
private. 

ART.  IX — The  members  of  one  County  Association  shall  have 
the  privilege  of  attending  meetings  of  all  County  Associations. 

CONSTITUTION  OF  SUBORDINATE  EQUAL  RIGHTS 
AND  EDUCATIONAL  ASSOCIATION. 

PREABIBLE. 

We,  the  friends  of  impartial  justice,  believing  that  in  union  there 
is  strength,  do  organize  ourselves  into  an  Association  to  secure  for  " 
all:  1st,  equal  political  rights;  •2d,  assistance  for  the  destitute ;  and 
Sd,  the  education  and  elevation  of  the  people. 

ART.  I — THE  NAME — Thc  name  of  this  Association  shall  be  the 
Equal  Rights  and  Educational  Aseociation  of 
County,  No. 

ART.  II — OFFICERS — The  officers  of  the  Association  shall  be  a 
President,  a  Vice  President,  a  Secretary,  a  Treasurer,  a  Chaplain, 
an  Examining  Committee  of  three,  an  Executive  Committee  of  five, 
and  a  Financial  Committee  of  six. 

ART.  Ill — The  President,  Vice  President,  Secretary,  Treasurer, 
and  Chaplain  shall  be  elected  by  ballot  annually,  at  the  first  meeting 
in  January.  All  the  committees  shall  be  filled  by  the  President 
on  the  night  of  his  election,  or  so  soon  after  as  mny  be  practicable.  All 
officers  are  to  continue  until  their  places  are  filled.  Vacancies  may 
be  filled  at  any  of  the  regular  meoting'j. 


24 


ART.  TV— DUTIES  OF  oFFicEns — Sec  1.  It  shall  be  the  duty  of  the 
President  to  preside  at  all  meetings ;  to  call  an  extra  meeting  when- 
ever he  may  deem  it  advisable,  or  upon  the  request  of  five  members, 
to  initiate  new  members,  and  to  perform  all  duties  that  may  devolve 
upon  him  by  the  Constitution  and  By-Laws. 

2.  It  shall  be  the  duty  of  the  Vice  President,  in  the  absence  of 
the  President,  to  perform  his  duties. 

3.  It  shall  be  the  duty  of  the  Secretary  to  keep  a  true  and  impar- 
tial record  of  the  doings  of  the  Association,  and  in  the  absence  of 
the  President  and  Vice  President  to  call  extra  meetings  of  the  Asso- 
ciation by  the  request  of  five  members,  and  attend  to  such  other 
duties  as  the  Association  may  direct. 

4  It  shall  be  the  duty  of  the  Treasurer  to  take  charge  of,  and 
safely  keep,  all  monies  and  other  property  intrusted  to  him  by  the 
Assoc  ation,  and  pay  out  the  same  only  upon  a  requisition  drawn  ac- 
cording to  the  vote  of  the  Association  and  signed  by  the  President 
and  Secretary.  He  shall  report  once  a  quarter,  and  as  much  oftener 
as  the  society  may  direct.  He  sh'^U  give  to  the  President  a  bond  in 
such  sum  as  the  Association  may  require  for  the  faithful  performance 
of  his  duties. 

5.  The  Chaplain  shall  open  all  the  meetings  with  prayer. 

6.  The  Executive  Committee  shall  faithfully  attend  to  all  duties 
imposed  on  them  from  time  to  time,  making  a  report  when  called 
upon. 

7.  It  shall  be  the  duty  of  the  Ksamining  Committee  carefully  to 
examine  all  propositions  for  membership  to  the  Association,  and  when 
received  by  a  Constitutional  vote  to  examine  candidates  before  initia- 
ted, and  report  to  the  President  upon  the  same. 

8.  It  shall  be  the  duty  of  the  Financial  Committee  to  make  all 
necessary  arrangements  for  furnishing  the  Association  with  needed 
funds,  and  shall  perform  such  other  duties  as  the  society  may  require 
of  them. 

ART.  V — MEMBERSHIP — Scc.  1  st  All  pcrsous  who  desire  to  be- 
come members  of  this  Association  shall  first  be  proposed  by  a  mems 
ber  in  writing,  stating  name,  age,  business  and  residence. 

2.  The  proposition  shall  be  handed  to  the  Examining  "Committee, 
who  shall  report  upon  the  same  as  soon  as  practicable,  either  approv- 
ing or  disapproving. 

3.  After  the  committee  have  reported,  a  ballot  shall  be  taken  and 
if  a  majority  vote  in  favor  of  the  candidate  he  shall  be  declared  elected, 

4.  After  the  candidate  has  been  elected  he  shall  be  initiated  as 
soon  as  pr-^cticable. 

5.  The  candidates  presenting  themselves,  the  following  questions 
shall  be  proposed  to  them  by  the  Examining  Committee  :  Will  you 
do  all  in  your  power  to  alleviate  the  wants  of  the  destitute,  to  assist 
in  educatmg  the  people,  to  secure  to  all  pjrsons  equal  political  rights, 
and  defend  and  protect  the  Constitution  and  laws  of  the  United  States? 

6.  If  the  candidate  shall  answer  each  of  the  above  questions  in  th© 


25 


affirmative,  he  fcball  be  conducted  into  the  room  of  the  Association  by 
the  chairman  of  the  Examining  Committee,  and  be  introduced  to  the 
Prenidont;  after  which,  the  candidates  shall  sign  the  Constitution  anr? 
pay  a  fee  of  twenty-five  cents,  and  be  declared  memb'^rs  ot  thje 
Association. 

ART.  VI — REPRESENTATIVES — When  two  or  more  Subordinate 
Associations  shall  have  been  organized  in  any  county,  they  shall  elect 
one  representative  for  every  tw^nty^five  members,  who,  together 
with  the  President  and  Vice  President,  shall  form  a  County  Associ- 
ation. 

ART.  VII— This  Association  is  authorized  to  make  any  By-Laws 
not  in  conflict  with  the  State  or  County  Associations. 

ART.  VIII-  -The  meetings  of  this  Association  may  be  public  or 
private. 

ART.  IX — The  members  of  ono  Subordinate  Association  shall 
have  the  privilege  of  attending  the  meetings  of  all  Subordinate  Asso- 
ciations. 

ART.  — The  Treasurer  of  this  Association  shall  pay  into  the 
Treasury  of  the  State  Association,  twenty >fivc  cents  for  each  of  its 
members  and  take  a  receipt  for  the  same  signed  by  the  President  of 
the  State  Association,  and  Secretary  of  the  Council. 


Advertisement. 


A  Weekly  Journal  devoted  to  the  maintenance  of  EQUAL 
MIGHTS  AND  PRIVILEGES  of  all  men  irrespective  of  color 
or  race. 

teems: 
One  Yeai-    -.  >   $3  oo 

8ix  Months     .      .         1  ?5 
ADVERTISEMENTS 

will  be  inserted  at  the  following  rates;  ONE  square  of  TEN  lines, 
%\  00  for  the  first  insertion;  50cts  for  "each  additional  insertion, 
Ol&oe,  eor.  of  Jackson  and- Ellis  Sts.,  rear  ©f  Globe  Hotel; 


PUBLISHIXG  ASSOCIATIOjN. 


OFFICE: 
Corner  of  ELLIS  and  JACKSON  Streets, 
AUGUSTA,  GA. 


The  Loyal  Georgian  was  established  at  Augusta,  Georgia,  in 
January  last,  by  the  Georgia  Equal  Rights  AssociatioDj  of  which 
Captain  J.  E.  Bryant  i8  President.  The  first  number  was  issued 
on  Saturday,  January  20th.  It  was  established  as  the  organ  of  an 
Association,  organize  i  to  advocate  the  cause  of  justice  and  equal 
rights,  and  to  labor  to  secure  for  all  citizens  equal  civil  and  political 
rights ;  to  labor  to  educate  the  people  of  the  State,  and  to  assist 
the  freedmen  in  their  transition  from  slarery  to  freedom.  Although 
the  President  of  the  Association  is  a  white  man,  and  although  all 
loy«l  persons  are  invited  to  join,  nevertheless,  but  few,  except 
colored  persons,  have  become  members.  The  readers  and  supporters 
of  the  paper  were,  at  first,  mostly  colored  persons.  Its  friends  did 
not  suppose  that  the  receipts  for  subscriptions  and  advertisements 
would  be  sufficient,  the  first  year,  to  pa^i  the  expenses  of  publishing 
it.  But,  as  each  member  was  required  to  pay  an  initiation  fee  of 
one  dollar,  it  was  expected  that  the  defficiency  would  be  eaaiJy  paid 
by  the  Association.    They  were  disappointed. 

For  various  reasons  the  Association  was  able  to  assist  the  paper 
but  very  little,  in  all  but  $523  94.  The  President,  at  the  request 
of  the  Council  of  the  Association,  visited  the  North,  and  appealed 
to  friends  there  for  assistance.  He  received  $1,426.  The  receipts 
from  all  sources  were  not  sufficient  to  pay  the  exp'^nsea,  and  the 
President  was  obliged  to  borrow  money  to  meet  the  deficiency.  At 
the  annual  session  of  the  Association,  in  October,  the  Financial 
Committee  reported  that  the  Association  was  in  debt  for  tho  paper 
$3,000. 

A  committee,  representing  the  creditors,  was  present,  and  stated, 
that  they  were  instructed  to  say,  that  the  creditors  would  form  a, 
stock  company,  and  continue  the  publication  of  the  paper  As  the 
creditors  wore  members  of  the  Association,  and,  »-s  the  paper,  if 
published  by  them,  would  continue  to  advocate  the  principles  which 
it  was  established  to  advocate,  it  was  decided  to  transfer  the  paper, 
press,  type  and  other  material  to  them  The  Association  was 
obliged  to  do  this,  because  it  was  not  only  unable  to  pay  the  debts, 
already  contracted,  but  it  was  also  unable  to  raise  money  to  continue 
the  publication  of  the  paper. 

A  meeting  of  the  creditors  was  held  in  the  city  of  Augusta  on  the 
5*h  November,  1 866  ;  a  stock  compfiuy  was  formed,  and  the  under- 


i 

sigined  elected  a  Board  of  Directors  to  transact  the  business  of  the 

CO  \y>  li-.vr  i>-u<'n  ^t(•ek  to  mf»>t  of  tlie  credi'or.«  in  payment 

ot  the  uiii'iu  t  (iiie  rlieiu,  ami  the  ci)uip;uiy  is  now  in  debt  but  $^50. 
^  e  O'.vn  a  pre>!5,  type  and  otliei"  material  necessary  for  the  pablica« 
tiori  ot  a  i  ewspaper  The  estimate''  cost  of  publi-hin2  the  paper  for 
a  viar.  including  the  salaries  of  ail  persons  connected  wi'li  it,  is 
$  GOO.  VVe  are  innble  to  esrinia^  correctly  thv  receipts  from  sub- 
scrifitions  and  advertisements,  but  the,  will  be  n)uch  less  than  the 
espe.idirures  for  one,  and  perhaps,  two  year.'^.  We  expect  that, 
within  two  y^ars,  our  receipts  will  exceed  onr  exf)eudif nres  We 
shall  use  every  possible  (ffxt  to  pla^e  the  pa'  er  upon  a  pern  anent 
basis  Until  then,  we  iutend  to  meet  the  dtficiency  by  the  sale  of. 
stuck 

It  Js  of  vital  importance  to  the  causn  of  justice  and  equal  rights  in 
Georgia,  that  the  Leva!  Georirian  shall  be  sustain- d.  It  is  the  only 
paper  iti  the  State  that  advocates  this  cause.  Nearly  half  of  the 
population  are  deprived  of  the  >  i^hts  wliich  are  dear  to  freemen.  They 
are  taxed  wirh.out  repri  sentHtion.  They  are  taxed  fo  support  com- 
mon schools,  b  It  their  children  are  not  permitted  to  attend  them. 
They  are  unable  to  secure  justice  Dv  an  af)peal  to  the  courts.  They 
labor  faithfully  lor  montlis  a  id  are  driven  away  by  th<  ir  employers 
without  pay,  and  are  unable  to  secure  it.  They  *ire  murdered,  and 
the  mardercs,  i;  white  JS"nthern  men,  are  not  even  arrested  by  thxi 
civil  authorities  when  there  is  sufficient  evidence  to  prove  their  guilt. 
Our  p;^per  will  bring  these  wroni/s  to  the  attention  of  tlie  people  of 
this  S  are  and  of  the  country  lab'-ring  to  chang*'  public  opinion, 
untd  hIi  men  by  an  appe.l  to  t  e  courts  can  receive  ju'^'ice 

Most  ot  the  reedmeu,  aiid  a  Urge  maj  Tity  of  the  white  inhabit 
tants  of  the  State,  are  ignorant  We  s'^all  lal.or  to  arouse  an  interest 
in  the  cause  of  education,  ana  estab  ish  schools  iti  every  county  in 
the  State.  VVe  regaid  his  as  the  most  imi  ortant  work  in  whicli  we 
can  ei'gajie,  and  asithe  eirculHt'on  of  our  paper  increases,  we  Intpe 
to  exert  a  powerful  influence  i  behnlf  of  this  cau>e.  We  can  then 
easily  estabiisu  orie  or  more  seho(ds  in  e;ich  of  these  couu'ies.  Our 
ciculation  will  then  increase  rapiuiy.  Meinwlnle  we  must  receive 
a^s'stance. 

At  t  e  clo^e  of  the  war  most  of  the  whi^e  Union  men  ot  the  South 
were  Ofipo-ed  to  impartial  suffia^e,  iiidc  d  tn«'y  w<Te  almojst,  if  not 
q  lite,  as  >lroiigly  pi.  jiidice<l  agnin>t  tfu?  fre<  dujen  as  the  re  »o;s. 
iM my  of  them  h  «ve.  in'W.'Ver,  di-covert  d  that  it  i.s  it  r  their  int»  re.-t  to 
Ui;ilif  CO  1  ill  'II  cause  With  ttie  free^iinen.  Th  se,  jnS<led  to  tiio.-e  who 
de>ire  to  be  j  i^t  lo  the  tteedinen  beeau>e  it  i-  ri  h',  vm)u1  I  now  uiakc 
a  po-verf  jI  party  it  they  ^'oe  u'litel  Our  unp-  r  wdl  lahor  (o  u  i'G 
theuj,  and  Ut  c>  viuc«j  others  th-it  it  is  nght  as  wcli  as  p-ditie  to 
j  till  too  parts  o  ne  tlooj  ri^ol  progress.  It  will  lahi>r  t'  buiid  u[)  a 
Uoi  »u  Kepui)!  Gi  t  piriy  m  Meorjiu  S  ic  i  y  p  per  ou_ht  t  b  -  ^us• 
tai  .ed.  ]f  .sIj  'U  d  not  li-  -lilo  \e.l  lo  f 4ii  iof  v\uai  oi  palrona^j^e.  W# 
ftppual  trO  our  ifieuda  io  Asual  xia.  * 


5 


SipiTief^  and  adopted  this  1st  day  of  December  I86C,  at  Augusta, 
Georgia. 

J.  E.  BRYANT.  / 

C.  H  PRINCE. 

T.  P.  BBARD. 

W.  J.  WHITR. 

C.  C.  RICHARDSON. 

T.  G,  CAMPBELL. 

WM.  BLAIR. 

J.  SINGLETON. 

SIMEON  W.  BEATRD. 

At  a  moptin^  held  at  the  office  of  the  "  Loyal  Oeor^ian, "  in  the 
city  of  Angu«ta,  Ga.,  on  the  1st  of  Decen  ber,  1866,  the  BoiiRD  of 
Directors  organized  by  electing  the  following  officers: 

Captain  J.  E  Brvant,  Fre^idovt  and  Editor. 
Captain  C.  FT.  Prince,  Fiv an cial  Agent  and  Treasurer. 
T.  P.  Beard,    General  Agent. 
W.  J.  White,  Secretary. 

The  fi Rowing  Regulations  were  fubfequently  adopted: 


REGULATIONS. 

ARTICLE  I. 

THE  NAME 

Of  t' is  PSdC'iitioi!  sl  all  be  th"  L^y  i.  G  1:0 r o !  > n  l'i;[}„i;sfii;\'(j 
Association. 

ARTICLK  ii. 

THE  ORJrXT  oF  THE  (J  MPAW 

S'  a'l  bi'  to  I"  ublisli  a  L  yal  h  >  wspai  er  in  G^  t'rgi:i,  lu  be  k  owii  as  tl»e 
''Lc»}al  Gturgiuu." 

ARTICLE  III. 

THE  CAPITAL   ST'  CK 

Of  tlifi  ("!-n)pariy  sball  not  rxcoed  1' Vv-u^y  fire  Thoiiflt^nd  D'^llars 
^$^5,000.)  auU  sadil  be  ruprejfcutod  iu  sliaieo  ot  Tcu  Djiiufti  ($10) 


6 


each ;  certificates  of  wLicb,  duly  signed,  shall  be  given  on  full  pay* 
ment,  and  shall  be  transferable. 

ARTICLE  IV. 

SUBiCRlPTlONS  TO  THE  CAPITA-L  STOCK 

Shall  continue  to  be  solicited,  as  long  as  the  Board  of  Diakctors 
may  deem  ii  advisable,  and  shall  be  payable  on  demand. 

ARTICLE  V. 

DIVIIENDS 

^haVi  be  determined  in  proportion  to  the  amount  of  capital,  actually 
Invested. 

ARTICLE  VL 

VOTING 

May  be  direct  or  by  written  prx>xy.  Each  ghare  shall  entitle  the 
holder  to  one  vote  in  all  meetings  of  the  (jompany.  A  person,  vot- 
ing by  written  proxy,  shall  state  the  number  of  the  Share  or  Shares 
which  he  represents. 

ARTICLE  VIL 

Tke  Officers  of  the  Company  shall  be  nine  Directors.  They  shall 
be  elected  annually  by  written  ballot,  and  one  at  a  time,  unless  the 
stockholders  direct  a  different  ojode  of  election.  The  election  shall 
take  place  on  the  first  Tuesday  in  January,  providing,  however,  that 
the  secona  election  for  Directors  shall  be  on  the  first  Tuesday  in 
January,  A,  D.,  1868.  They  shall  serve  until  others  are  duly  elected 
to  fill  their  places,  and  shall  be  empowered  to  transact  all  business  of 
the  Company. 

ARTICLE  VIIL 

THE  BOARD  OF  DIRECTORS 

Shall  organize  by  choosing  a  President,  Secretary,  Financial  Agent 
and  Treasurer.  They  shall  also  elect  an  Editor,  General  Agent  and 
such'^ther  Agents  as  may  be  required. 

ARTICLE  IX. 

THE  DUTIES  OF  THE  PRESIDENT  ^ 

Shall  be  to  preside  at  all  meetings  of  the  Company  and  of  the  Board 


7 


OF  Directors,  to  call  special  meetings,  when  deemed^'necessary, 
represent  the  general  interests  of  the  Company,  and  perform  such 
other  duties,  as  may  be  herein  or  hereafter  provided. 

ARTICLE  X. 

THE  SECRETARY 

Shall  keep  a  correct  record  of  the  proceedings  of  the  Board  of 
Directors  and  of  the  Company,  and  perform  such  other  duties,  as 
the  Company  or  Board  may  direct. 

ARTICLE  XL 

THE  FINANCIAL  AGENT  AND  TREASURER 

Shall  perform  the  duties,  usually  performed  by  the  publisher  of  a 
newspaper.  He  shall  control  the  financial  affairs  of  the  paper;  re- 
ceiving all  moneys  belonging  to  the  Company,  and  paying  out  all 
money,  expended  by  direction  of  the  Board  of  Directors,  keeping 
a  correct  account  of  the  same. 

ARTICLE  XIL 

THE  EDITOR 

Shall  perform,  the  duties  usually  performed  by  the  Editor  of  a 
newspaper. 

ARTICLE  XIIL 

THE  GNERAL  AGENT 

Shall  solicit  subscriptions  and  advertisements  ;  have  charge  of  mail* 
ing  the  papers,  and  keep  the  accounts  with  subscribers ;  keep  the 
office  in  order ;  look  alter  the  general  interests  of  the  paper,  and 
assist  the  Publisher,  as  he  may  re:][uire. 

ARTICLE  XIV. 

FINANCIAL  COMMITTEE. 

^The  Board  of  Directors  shall  elect  a  Financial  Committee  whose 
^^^it  shall  be  to  audit  the  accounts  of  the  Company,  and  make  a 
lese  o!  ^'ii^a'^cial  Report.    They  shall,  at  all  times,  hare  the  privi- 
■^,mining  the  books  of  the  Company. 


8 


ARTICLE  XV. 

V  BONDS  AND  SECl'RITIES, 

Such  as  the  BoaH  of  Directors  shall  demand  and  approrp/shfill  bo 
given  bv  every  officer  or  Mg-rjr,  etitrusted  ^'itfi  fiiotiev  or  other  Moper* 
ty  of  the  (vorapa'iy.  A'(  certifi  ares  uf  Stocc  -''all  bj  signed  by  the 
"President  aud  Secretary,  and  eudoraed  witii  red  iuk  ou  ihe  face  by  a 
Director, 


OFFICERS. 

CAPTATN  J   K.  rinMNT   Pr  sidnt. 

C  ^  P  1  A  I  N  < V  H  V\\\  N C K  "nncial  A^en/.  a^cl  Trca^  irer. 
WILLIAM  J.  Wliirh:,  iSecretuy. 


D  I  11  E  C  T  0  Jl  S. 

PAP'  AIN  J  E.  BRYANT, 

CAPTAIN  D.   H  ^^Hl^^^R 
CAPTAfNM\C  RI'HIARDSON, 
RKV  VVM  J  WhMTK. 
KKV.  T  C  <V\M'>BRLL, 
THOMAS  P  lU:  \RD, 
Wll  T  TAM  niAIH, 
JONAS  SiN^l.KTON. 
SIMEON  W.  Bii:AlKD. 


EDITOR  LOYAIi  GBORGIAN, 

CAPTAIN  J.  E.  BRYANT. 


GBXERAL  AGENT,  \ 

THOMAS  P.  BEARD. 


